Henryk Toma­szewski
Centennial

SALT Beyoğlu, Forum

The Posters of Tomaszewski
The Posters of Tomaszewski’s Students

A collaboration between Grafist 18 - Istanbul Graphic Design Week, SALT and Dydo Poster Collection, this exhibition is organized in the framework of the 600th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Turkey and Poland, as well as on the occasion of the hundredth birthday of Henryk Tomaszewski. In addition to works by Tomaszewski, who is one of the world’s leading names in poster design and pioneers of Polish School of Posters, the exhibition in addition will feature works produced by contemporary graphic designers who received training from him.

Henryk Tomaszewski (1914-2005) was a Polish poster designer, illustrator and educator. Tomaszewski studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw between the years of 1934 and 1939, and established himself as a freelance designer in Warsaw immediately after the Second World War. He is known to have greatly influenced the celebrated Polish School of Posters. Acclaimed for the acerbic wit and potent simplicity of his imagery, Tomaszewski produced political and cultural posters, book jackets, illustrations and stage designs. He taught graphic design at the Academy of Fine Arts, Warsaw, between the years of 1955 and 1985. His prolific practice and its impact on Polish graphic design since the 1950s has been confirmed by many international exhibitions. In addition to numerous awards at the Warsaw Poster Biennales, he was awarded first prize at the 1963 São Paulo Biennale and a gold medal at the 1965 Leipzig Book Fair. Tomaszewski was granted the title of “Honorary Royal Designer for Industry” by Royal Society of Arts in London in 1975.

This exhibition is organized by Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Graphic Design Department with the cooperation of SALT, Dydo Poster Collection, Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland, and Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in İstanbul.