The Akuku exhibition on the one hand presents books of 15 book illustrators, personalities of the Polish graphic scene, showing the diversity, uncompromising nature, talent and ingenuity of artists.
The value of children's books cannot be overestimated. Through books a child encounters high culture, literature and visual arts for the first time. The books we expose our children to should be true works of art, well and beautifully designed, not a cajolery or too childish. It is indeed books that shape a child’s sense of aesthetics and the ability to appreciate the beauty.
Poland has a rich, two-hundred-year old tradition in the illustration of children's books. In the decades between 1950-1980, such illustration received recognition throughout the world. The phenomenon originated with the best Polish artists and creators of the Polish School of Posters, such as Roman Cieślewicz, Janusz Stanny, and Henryk Tomaszewski. Around this time is when it started being referred to as the “Polish school of illustration". Our books have been noticed and given awards all over the world. They were valued for their ease, richness of form and unique approach.
There has been a recent revival of the genre in Poland. Within the last 12 years, small publishing houses which take the risk of releasing artistically innovative books have been established (and continue to be). Their avant-garde approach has been once again noticed in the world. In recent years Polish books have regularly received international awards for children’s literature - such as the Bologna Ragazzi Award.
Exhibition encourages children and adults to get involved and actively participate. Everyone will be able to create their own illustrated story. Thanks to the huge play cards and the special application that will allow visitors to change in the form of characters from illustrations, one can change the arrangement of the exhibition indefinitely.
It's an exhibition to watch, read, create, change, simply for fun.
Feel welcome!
Participating illustrators: Edgar Bąk, Katarzyna Bogucka, Iwona Chmielewska, Robert Czajka, Agata Dudek, Emilia Dziubak, Małgorzata Gurowska, Monika Hanulak, Marta Ignerska, Marianna Oklejak, Paweł Pawlak, Ola Płocińska, Dawid Ryski, Piotr Socha, Marianna Sztyma.
