This exhibition presented a selection of award-winning, original large-format posters from the Communist era in Poland. Following the Second World War, Poland came under communist rule. The new government sought an effective and quick way to communicate with the Polish people, and found that the poster would serve as an ideal tool for communist propaganda. Government approved committees, including United Entertainment Enterprises (Zjednoczone Przedsiebiorstwa Rozrywkowe) and Polish Office of Film Distribution (Film Polski), were appointed to commission posters advertising cultural and social events. These organisations sought out Polish artists who had graduated from leading schools, such as the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and Krakow.

The posters are bold and vibrant examples of graphic design that was designed by the Polish Poster School artists, displayed the variety of themes addressed in the Polish Poster School, as well as the artistic styles that were applied. Although there was cultural oppression, the Polish poster movement was still able to thrive as an art form. It was one of the few permitted means of autonomous artistic expression in the period, as their original approach to the subject matter demonstrates.

The Art of the Polish Poster School accompanied the Museum’s major temporary exhibition. Can we talk about Poland?
All posters were on loan from Sam and Gina Rosenberg from Sklep: Original Vintage Polish Posters. This exhibition was curated by guest curator, Veronica Dominiak.