1986 Vintage Polish Exhibition Poster, Josef Szajna (Tomaszewski)

Description

Date: 1986
Size: 28.5 x 38.5 inches
Artist: Henryk Tomaszewski

About the Artist: One of the finest poster and graphic … more Date: 1986
Size: 28.5 x 38.5 inches
Artist: Henryk Tomaszewski

About the Artist: One of the finest poster and graphic artists in the world, Tomaszewski was an illustrator and teacher, pioneer of the Polish poster school. Born June, 10, 1914, in Warsaw; died September 11, 2005, in Warsaw. The strength of his graphic works lies in a simple and intelligent translation of messages and symbols from literary, theatrical, film, music and social themes into a visual language. He himself admitted 'a lifetime search for such signs which would be comprehensible to everyone'. (culture.pl)

About the Poster: Beginning in the 1950s and through the 1980s, the Polish School of Posters combined the aesthetics of painting with the succinctness and simple metaphor of the poster. It developed characteristics such as painterly gesture, linear quality, and vibrant colors, as well as a sense of individual personality, humor, and fantasy. It was in this way that the polish poster was able to make the distinction between designer and artist less apparent.

Polish posters have come to stand apart from the advertising design conventions fostered in Europe during the 20th century. It was during the communist regime, a time when culture was closely monitored by the state, that Polish artists found liberation in poster art. Ironically, this foremost public art form became ground for individual expression. During that period, the cultural institutions, of theatre and cinema especially, flourished as they were funded by government agencies. Artists freshly out of the fine arts academy flocked towards poster production as the demand for this art was rapidly growing. The result became some of the most unique and expressive posters the world has ever seen - and artworks in themselves.

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