The international workshop Figures of Emancipation: New Perspectives on Modern Sculpture and Gender in 20th Century in Dialogue will bring together different perspectives on recent sculptural research in the fields of art history, museology, curatorial practice and contemporary art with focus on the complex relationship between gender and art production. The main motivation of the conference is the historically largely overlooked, however rich and complex legacy of women sculptors who left behind impressive oeuvres and challenged both the artistically and socially imposed norms, approached from a transnational perspective. Our aim is to open new perspectives on this common “blind spot” in sculpture histories and museum practice that transgress the limiting frameworks on national historiographies by opening a dialogue and activating the exchange between the art historical knowledge about the former Western and Eastern European space, therewith addressing the wider cultural, social and political background of the histories in question. The main questions the conference aims to debate are: What role do women play in sculpture history, research, and exhibition/curatorial practice? What were their specific educational and exhibiting infrastructures? Did they receive public commissions, how were their works received by art institutions and the general society? How can they be given more visibility? What terminology and methodological approaches are suitable to approach their works? How can their self-image as women sculptors, (gender-)specific techniques and use of materials be described? How can we use the art historical knowledge on gender relations in sculpture to support and enhance the emancipatory politics in contemporary art and curating/museum practice?