15 Oct Top Vintage Polish Film Posters: A Comparative Interview w/ Eye Sea Posters & The Affiche Studio
Jerzy Flisak – “Gang Olsena Na Szlaku (The Olsen Gang)” (1976)
In this comparative interview, we speak with two creative studios — Eye Sea Posters, based in the United Kingdom and dedicated to poster archiving and reselling, and The Affiche Studio, which is based in the United States and dedicated to poster restoration — on just what makes Polish posters so compelling.
Jacek Neugebauer – “Gwiazdy Egeru” (1969)
James Dyer of Eye Sea Posters
Jason Leonard of The Affiche Studio
What initially drew your company to these posters?
Polish posters produced under Communism are really distinctive because during that time the film industry was controlled by the state and most foreign promotional material was rejected and replacements were commissioned.
Established Polish artists were asked to convey the essence of the film in their poster designs and unlike their Western counterparts, the use of film stills or photos of the film’s stars wasn’t necessary, and this lead to some amazing and often abstract art being pasted on the streets of Poland.
I’ve been collecting these posters for a while now, and started selling a few here and there to help fund the collection. Eye Sea grew out of that, and I started the website in 2011.
When I first started doing poster restoration, the Polish images that were coming in always stood out to me. Over time, I started collecting them on my own. I’m really drawn to the surrealist imagery, design, and historical significance of the Polish poster.
Can you recall a specific or initial moment when viewing these works made a memorable impact on you?
Around 10 years ago, someone sent me a postcard with a Polish poster on it. It was the “Seksolatki” poster by Maciej Zbikowski; I was instantly hooked and I’ve been a fan ever since.
I remember unrolling a package from a client which had a bunch of newer posters by the artist Wieslaw Walkuski, and I was immediately drawn in.
How do you locate the posters for sale?
They come from various sources: old cinemas, flea markets, auctions etc. We hunt high and low for them. I’ve got a good friend in Poland who helps me out, and without him it would be very difficult.
I’ve collected through various avenues, sometimes finding things online and sometimes through clients.
Given that some of your posters are no doubt gone once you sell them, how does that change the way you value or appreciate them?
As they become increasingly hard to find, it becomes harder to put a price on them and harder to part with them. It can take a long time to find a poster so sometimes I’m reluctant to sell one because I might not find another one. There’s a few I regret selling but I have to remind myself I don’t have much wallspace and there’s no point in them sitting in a box gathering dust where nobody can see them.
I’ve been collecting for years now, occasionally selling things here and there. It’s interesting, because when I search for things to collect, I’m generally buying things I really admire. So sometimes selling is rough when I get attached to a certain poster. Sometimes I’ll look for multiple copies of things I really love so I can keep one!
James Dyer (Eye Sea Posters):
As well as the artwork it’s the quality of the printing, the paper stock and the natural aging process that makes these posters great and that’s not something easily reproduced. Poster restorers do an important job because they help to preserve a piece of history.
Jason Leonard (The Affiche Studio):
Linen-backing is an archival mounting of a poster. After the mounting, we go in and do restoration, which could be patching in missing sections and color restoration. Depending on the work needed, it takes usually a couple weeks in the studio, as we work on many pieces at the same time. The process is an old one, but was transformed a bit in the ’70s. There are many steps along the way that have to be performed with a detailed artistic eye. It’s a very hands-on procedure, preserving the original poster.
How does one go about identifying a particular work or artist? How easy or difficult is this process, and what resources do you use?
There’s various ways to identify a poster. The serial number and logos on it. The artist’s signature is usually printed on it. I also use various books, catalogues and the internet, and if all else fails, I phone a friend in Poland.
We have a couple clients with great websites, www.theartofposter.com and www.contemporaryposters.com
Related: Articles on Polish Artists & Musicians
Top Ten Polish Posters, Curated by James Dyer
Maciej Zbikowski – “Seksolatki” – 1978
Genre: Drama/Romance
The first Polish poster I saw (on a postcard). It took me a long time to find a decent copy, and when I did, it looked even better in the flesh.
Maciej Zbikowski – “Zimorodek” – 1978
He’s the first designer I started collecting. There’s not much information online about Mr. Zbikowski. I tried to track him down once. A friend of mine found an address for him in Warsaw and we sent him a letter but didn’t get a reply.
Franciszek Starowieyski – “Oni” – 1973
Genre: TBC
In contrast to the bold, colorful and cartoon-like work of Zbikowski is an intricate, dark illustration by Franciszek Starowieyski, who was part of the “Polish School of Posters” and a master of poster design. This is one of the first posters I bought.
Andrzej Krajewski – “Czarny Wiatr” – 1970
Genre: TBC
I’ve managed to find quite a few Krajewski posters over the years but he’s a prolific artist and I’m still missing some, the hunt continues…
Ryszard Kiwerski – “Czarownica Z Bagien” – 1972
Genre: TBC
If I walked past this in the street, I’d have to go and see the film. Nicely psychedelic.
Jerzy Flisak – “The Conversation” – 1975
Genre: Drama Mystery Thriller
This was on my wanted list for a long time and I finally found it a few months back. It’s a nice simple design with a good film to match.
La Boca – “Iluzjon” – 2012
Genre: Exhibition
This is a poster we created for our first exhibition at the Protein gallery in London last year. It was designed by my friend Scot at La Boca, he also designed our logo.
Waldemar Swierzy – “Budowniczy Solness” – 1971
Genre: Theatre
One of the few artists of the ‘Polish School of Posters’ that is still alive and one of the most prolific.
Hubert Hilscher – “Cyrk” (Tiger Handstand) – 1970
Genre: Circus
A super vibrant Polish circus poster that is featured in the Victoria & Albert museum collection.
Jerzy Flisak – “Gracz (The Player)” – 1973
Genre: Crime Drama
This is one I regret selling because try as I might, I can’t find another one.
Additional Posters Selected by REDEFINE
Jan Sawka – “Cyrk (Pyramid)” (1975)
Waldemar Swierzy – “Horsztynski” (1968)
Jacek Neugebauer – “Przygody Tomka Sawyera (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer)” (1969)
Jerzy Flisa – “Zwiadowca (The Scout)” (1969)
Daniel Mroz – “Babcia Wnuczek” (1986)
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Vivian Hua 華婷婷 is a writer, filmmaker, and organizer. As the Executive Director of Northwest Film Forum in Seattle and Editor-in-Chief of the interdisciplinary arts publication, REDEFINE, much of her work unifies her metaphysical interests with her belief that art can positively transform the self and society. She regularly shares human-centered stories through her storytelling newsletter, RAMBLIN’ WITH VEE! In 2020, she will [hopefully] begin production on a comedic Asian-American series entitled Reckless Spirits.
Ask Vivian about MARSHMALLOWS, cuz she's gross... and being tips for being frugal while nomading!