The Walls Belong to Them: Celebrating the Polish School of Posters with Selections from the Collection of Krzysztof Piatkowski

The poster was never made to be collected, stored in flat files, or hung in museums. It belonged on the walls, fences, and streets, serving as the purest form of communication with the masses.

Nowhere was this more evident than in a unique design movement called the Polish School of Posters, where artistry and purpose converged to create a timeless cultural legacy.

In the aftermath of World War II, Poland faced the weight of Soviet control, with censorship and restrictions shadowing daily life. Emerging in the 1950s and 1960s, the Polish School of Posters represented an unparalleled era of artistic innovation, blending bold imagery with poignant social commentary in the face of adversity. Artists creatively outsmarted censors with creativity that transcended political and social boundaries. Through its use of symbolism, metaphor, and layered meanings, the movement invited audiences to engage with the posters on intellectual and emotional levels. Artists embraced individualism, merging Poland’s storied visual traditions with modern aesthetics to craft designs that resonate globally.

The Walls Belong to Them exhibition brings this powerful legacy to life, featuring 30 iconic posters from the collection of Krzysztof Piatkowski, a graphic designer and proud HACC alumnus.