WAW: WOMEN’S CITY, WOMEN’S STREETS – Examining Gender Representation in Warsaw’s Urban Fabric

This exhibition by Maryna Tomaszewska addresses the significant asymmetry in the representation of women in Warsaw's public spaces and street names. Through feminist statistics, textile maps, and biographies of notable women, it highlights their invisibility and explores what a more feminized urban landscape could look like.

Maryna Tomaszewska's "WAW: WOMEN’S CITY, WOMEN’S STREETS" exhibition, presented at the History Meeting House (DSH), critically examines the stark imbalance in Warsaw's street nomenclature and public space representation for women. With only about 158 streets named after women out of 5,800, and often relegated to dead-ends or alleys, the exhibition seeks to reverse this historical invisibility. Tomaszewska employs feminist statistics, intricate gender-related textile maps, and in-depth biographies of often-overlooked female figures, particularly those found in less central districts like Białołęka or Targówek. The exhibition serves as both a statistical exposé and an artistic intervention, prompting reflection on the potential of a more feminized public space. It poses critical questions about what unique perspectives and experiences women can contribute to urban planning and how to envision a more inclusive and pluralistic urban environment. Drawing parallels with Caroline Criado Perez's "Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men," the exhibition underscores the profound impact of data bias and naming conventions on our daily lives and urban structures. It challenges visitors to consider how cities can be designed for everyone, breaking the cycle of marginalization within public spaces.

The exhibition is open to the public from September 19th, 2025 to February 22nd, 2026, at the History Meeting House (DSH) at 20 Karowa St. in Warsaw. Further ticketing information is likely available via the official DSH website or through links provided for the Warsaw Gallery Weekend event, which presents this exhibition as part of its WGW+ section.