ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Gender Check Exhibition Reexamines Eastern European Art Through Gender Studies Lens

exhibition · 2026-04-19

The exhibition titled 'Gender Check: Femininity and Masculinity in the Art of Eastern Europe' commenced at the Museum Moderner Kunst in Vienna on November 13, 2009, and continued until February 14, 2010, before relocating to Zachęta in Warsaw from March 19 to June 13, 2010. This showcase analyzed Eastern European art from the 1950s to contemporary times through the lens of gender studies. Featured artists included Wojciech Fangor and Aleksander Kobzdej, who illustrated gender roles in their paintings. Additionally, Vladislav Mamyshev-Monroe’s iconic portrayal of Marilyn Monroe and Marina Gržinić’s video pieces were significant highlights. The exhibition addressed representations of gender in both official and unofficial contexts, tackling post-communist issues and exploring women's roles in socialist imagery alongside feminist discussions.

Key facts

  • Exhibition 'Gender Check: Femininity and Masculinity in the Art of Eastern Europe' ran November 13, 2009 – February 14, 2010 at Museum Moderner Kunst, Vienna
  • Traveled to Zachęta, Warsaw from March 19, 2010 – June 13, 2010
  • Featured works from 24 Eastern European countries spanning 1950s to 2009
  • Included socialist realism, unofficial pre-1989 art, and contemporary works
  • Key artists: Wojciech Fangor, Aleksander Kobzdej, Vladislav Mamyshev-Monroe, Marina Gržinić, Anri Sala
  • Accompanied by publication with essays and interviews from researchers
  • Explored gender roles in official and unofficial spheres before and after 1989
  • Referenced 1978 Belgrade feminist conference and Bojana Pejić's essay

Entities

Artists

  • Wojciech Fangor
  • Aleksander Kobzdej
  • Vladislav Mamyshev-Monroe
  • Marina Gržinić
  • Aina Šmid
  • Anri Sala
  • András Dér
  • László Hartai
  • Rimma Gerlovina
  • Valery Gerlovin
  • Tadeusz Konwicki
  • Bojana Pejić
  • Rada Iveković
  • Francis Fukuyama
  • Marilyn Monroe

Institutions

  • Museum Moderner Kunst
  • Zachęta
  • Erste Foundation
  • ARTMargins Online
  • Leuven

Locations

  • Vienna
  • Austria
  • Warsaw
  • Poland
  • Eastern Europe
  • Belgrade
  • Serbia
  • Albania
  • Hungary
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Wall Street
  • United States

Sources