Olga Micińska's project 'Gildia' is an artistic work of political fiction in which the artist has imagined the metaphorical seat of an imaginary women's guild, specializing in carpentry. Using objects selected from the collection of the Museum of Warsaw, supplemented with her own objects and those of her own creation, Micińska's imaginary women's guild carpentry workshop encourages us to revise our thinking about 'craftsmanship' and the production of industrious objects by hand as the primary domain of men. Why is it that the weaving profession immediately calls to mind a feminine connotation, while nouns like 'journeyman' and 'engineer' have no feminine equivalent? The traditional hierarchy and historical patriarchy of European guild societies is also called to question.
'Gildia' is a continuation of Micińska's work in this area, specifically the Building Institute - an organisation she established in Amsterdam which educates, mentors and supports young women in their efforts to earn a greater share of jobs and recognition in craftsmanship-related fields related to woodworking.