This workshop series, 'From Geisha to Feminist,' accompanied the Japanese woodblock print exhibition 'ONNA. Beauty, Strength, Ecstasy.' It explored the lives of women who challenged norms in Japanese culture, including mothers, geishas, warriors, courtesans, and modern feminists, discussing their roles and influence in art and society.
The workshop series 'Od gejszy do feministki' (From Geisha to Feminist) was a program designed for youth and adults, running on select dates in May, June, July, and August of 2018. It served as a companion event to the Japanese woodblock print exhibition 'ONNA. Piękno, siła, ekstaza' (ONNA. Beauty, Strength, Ecstasy).
The workshops delved into the narratives of women who defied the conventions of Japanese society. Participants engaged in discussions about various female archetypes such as mothers, geishas, warriors, courtesans, and enigmatic female figures who expanded their societal roles. The sessions also covered notable female artists, politically active women, and contemporary feminists in Japan, examining both historical works by masters and creations by modern Japanese artists.
Specific workshop themes included 'The Motif of Woman in Ukiyo-e: Mother, Warrior, Ghost' on May 22 and July 17, and 'Non-Obvious – Archetypes of Femininity in Edo Period Japan' on June 5 and August 7. The series was curated by Dr. Marek Maksymczak from the Royal Łazienki Museum's Education Centre.