Masters of Polish Illustration
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Client: Adam Mickiewicz Institute
exhibition and graphic design for Suncheon Picture Book Library,
South Korea
The "Masters of Polish Illustration" exhibition, held in South Korea in 2022 (opened from October 11th to January 15th, 2023.), was a significant cultural event showcasing the rich history and diversity of Polish book illustration, particularly that aimed at children. It was the first such extensive presentation of Polish illustration outside of Europe.
The exhibition was organized by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute in collaboration with the Suncheon Picture Book Library, the BWA Gallery in Zamość, and the Polish Embassy in Seoul. The curator of the exhibition was Professor Jiwone Lee, a Polish philologist and art historian who has been actively promoting Polish children's literature in South Korea for many years.
The exhibition brought together over one hundred original illustrations, encompassing the works of the most important Polish artists from the last century. Visitors could admire both valuable original illustrations by avant-garde artists from the 1920s, such as Franciszka and Stefan Themerson and Jan Marcin Szancer, as well as artists associated with the Polish School of Illustration, including:
Janusz Stanny
Zbigniew Rychlicki
Bohdan Butenko
Olga Siemaszko
Adam Kilian
Wiesław Majchrzak
Janusz Grabiański
Jerzy Heintze
Bożena Truchanowska
Antoni Boratyński
Contemporary, postmodern picture books by a younger generation of illustrators were also presented, such as:
Iwona Chmielewska
Joanna Concejo
Marianna Oklejak
Piotr Socha
Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielińscy
Marta Ignerska
Emilia Dziubak
Małgorzata Gurowska
Edgar Bąk
Helena Stiasny
Elżbieta Wasiuczyńska
Krystyna Lipka-Sztarbałło
The exhibition also provided an opportunity to commemorate important anniversaries – the 120th birthday of Jan Marcin Szancer and the 100th birthday of Zbigniew Rychlicki, outstanding artists who had a tremendous impact on Polish illustration.
In addition to the original works, the exhibition featured digital materials such as a digitized sketchbook by Piotr Socha for the book "Brud" (Dirt) and early works by Franciszka and Stefan Themerson. A special section was dedicated to the Polish children's magazine "Świerszczyk" (The Cricket), presenting its issues mainly from the 1950s and 1960s.
The "Masters of Polish Illustration" exhibition was on display from October 11, 2022, to January 15, 2023, at the Suncheon Picture Book Library. Subsequently, in April 2023, it moved to the Albus Gallery in Seoul, where it was open until June 2023.
The aim of the exhibition was to introduce the Korean public to the richness and diversity of Polish illustration, its unique style, and its important place in cultural history. It was a significant initiative promoting Polish art abroad and building cultural bridges between Poland and South Korea.
The bright, white space creates a neutral backdrop that enlivens the large-format, colorful graphic application on the wall. Its simplified forms and intense colors echo the work of Polish artists known for their characteristic, joyful lines and expressive hues in children's illustrations, which were featured in the exhibition. The horizontal composition of this graphic forms a visual narrative, typical of storytelling in picture books.
The relaxation zone with soft poufs in shades of green and gray, complemented by displayed Polish illustrated books, serves as a cozy reading corner. The availability of publications encourages visitors to engage more closely with Polish illustration. Decorative elements, such as plush figures, create a more personal and emotional connection with the presented art.
The arrangement of this zone emphasizes the visitor experience, inviting free interaction with Polish visual art for children and teenagers.
