At the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, a landmark temporary exhibition — The Woman Question 1550–2025 — marks the institution’s first project of this scale. Bringing together nearly 200 works by artists from around the world, it spans over five centuries of artistic production. Curated by Alison M. Gingeras, the exhibition challenges the long-standing myth of women’s absence in art history.
Structured into nine thematic sections, the show unfolds as a layered visual narrative of women’s creativity, agency, and persistence. From Renaissance paintings to contemporary works, it reveals a continuous, dynamic presence that has often been overlooked or marginalized. Rather than a simple survey, the exhibition proposes a rethinking of the canon and a more inclusive understanding of art history.
The scale of the project posed a significant challenge — not only in assembling such a diverse international collection, but also in designing a coherent spatial experience. The exhibition brings together works that differ in style, medium, and cultural context, requiring a carefully considered arrangement. A restrained, minimalist display allows each piece to resonate while creating meaningful connections across time.
“The Woman Question 1550–2025” is more than an exhibition — it is a powerful statement about visibility, history, and representation. It highlights that women’s contributions to art have never been marginal, but essential, even if too often overlooked.
Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw
Exhibition design: Biuro Kreacja Dorota Terlecka; Cooperation: Aleksander Kalinowski
Graphic design concept: Gosia Stolińska, Martyna Wyrzykowska, Karolina Jabłońska; Cooperation: Maciej Chodziński
Curator: Alison M. Gingeras; Cooperation: Ewa Klekot, Beata Purc
