Exhibition of Polish Illustration and Graphic Art: “Words and Metaphors. The Latest Illustration from Wrocław” at Gellerup Bibliotek

The exhibition presents a multifaceted showcase of the work of young artists and lecturers from the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław. The renowned poster artist and one of the pioneers of Polish graphic design, Maciej Urbaniec, instilled at the Academy a culture of design focused on creating messages that seek unconventional solutions, where word and image work together in harmony. The successors of this idea not only engage in dialogue with literary texts—or more broadly, with cultural texts—but also boldly abandon well-trodden paths.

The exhibition in Aarhus, Denmark, is a unique opportunity to see works that have emerged from a long-term educational process. These works exemplify a creative dialogue between two generations of Polish artists and highlight the immense potential of illustrators from Wrocław. The illustrations presented showcase a great thematic diversity and richness of form—from literature-inspired works, to portraits of cultural figures, to interpretations of contemporary social phenomena. Visitors can admire pieces by young creators who became independent artists during their studies, as well as works by their mentors, who use metaphor and imagery while challenging the boundaries of the genre. Among them are literary interpretations by Marek Rybicki, portraits of jazz musicians by Szymon Pałka, and an illustrated guide to modernist Wrocław by Radosław Suliga. Illustration here takes many forms—from books and posters to autonomous works of art—yet it is always marked by precision, sensitivity, and boldness.

The exhibition will take place at Gellerup Bibliotek in Aarhus—a branch of the Aarhus Public Libraries and part of a sports and cultural campus. The library was designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects and opened its doors in December 2021.

Curator: Maciej Majchrzak
Academic collaboration: Anita Wincencjusz-Patyna
Artists: Tomasz Broda, Małgorzata Bury, Aleksandra Czudżak, Aleksandra Gładysz, Maria Iwaniuk, Alicja Król, Marek Rybicki, Marta Oleksy, Szymon Pałka, Radosław Suliga, Karolina Wiśniewska, Magdalena Wosik