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An image is the most important tool of communication, combining art, aesthetics, and functionality. The poster, as a medium born from the need for quick and effective communication, has always been a witness to social, political, and cultural changes, and its creators – bold commentators of reality. Contemporary posters, like in the past, face challenges posed by a world full of uncertainty, crises, and constant technological transformations.

 

In today's world, where the boundaries between humans and machines are dangerously blurring, the question of the essence of artistic creation takes on particular significance. What values should a poster convey in the face of technological breakthroughs? How can we preserve and highlight the humanistic nature of creative work, which, on the one hand, responds to changing social needs, and on the other, does not lose its individuality and depth? These are the questions we pose to the poster creators participating in this year's edition of the Biennale.

The 29th edition of the International Poster Biennale, organized once again by the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, aims to reflect on the condition of contemporary poster art in the context of dynamic technological progress.

On one hand, AI creates new possibilities, opening the door for designers to unlimited creativity and precision, while on the other hand, it raises questions about the humanistic aspect of creation, about the authenticity of artistic expression, which doesn't always have to follow the logic of algorithms.

The International Poster Biennale in Warsaw has been a forum for creative confrontation among artists from around the world for over half a century. In the 29th edition, alongside the prestigious main competition, we invite participation in the thematic competition, which addresses fundamental issues of contemporary life – questions about the direction in which our civilization is heading in the face of the ecological crisis, political instability, and the dynamic development of technology.

The Biennale is a space where poster art becomes a tool for deep reflection on our future. We encourage you to participate in this exceptional event, to face the challenges of the present day, and to respond through creativity that not only communicates but also moves, inspires, and engages.


Important dates

10.03.2025

Deadline for submitting entries to the 29th IPB Main and Thematic Competition

20.03.2025

Announcement of the results of the selection of the works participating in the Main and Thematic Competition of the 29th IPB

05.07.2025

Opening ceremony of the 28th IPB


Competition categories

Overall category

All posters created between 2023 and 2025

Thematic competition

"Quo vadis?" – a Latin expression meaning "Whither goest thou?" – poses a pressing question in the face of contemporary challenges. In times when humanity is grappling with political instability, environmental degradation, and the specter of war, this question takes on particular significance. It encourages us to reflect on the consequences of our actions and the uncertain future we are creating. In a world marked by conflict, migration, and divisions, Quo Vadis? at the International Poster Biennale calls on artists to confront the direction we are heading.

Although contemporary challenges may seem unknown, the fundamental needs and concerns of humanity have remained unchanged for centuries. The desire for peace, justice, dignity, and health, the need for love, security, and belonging – these values, regardless of time and place, define the purpose of our actions.

Through bold positions taken by the creators, the resulting posters are meant to speak of concerns but also build hope, reassess attitudes, and provoke the question: are we heading towards destruction or healing? We await the responses of the artists.


Jury

Maciej Buszewicz
Jianping He
Annik Troxler
Henning Wagenbreth
Ada Zielińska

Organisational Team

MAIN ORGANISER

Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw

PROGRAMME BOARD / ORGANISING COMMITTEE:

Lech Majewski, President of the Biennale
Błażej Ostoja Lniski, Rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Iga Chmielecka, Salon Akademii
Justyna Czerniakowska, Secretary General of the Biennale
Michał Leszczyński, Chancellor of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Mateusz Machalski, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Michał Opiłowski, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Marcin Rembacz, Pałac Saski sp. z o.o.
Ania Wieluńska, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Jan Zajączkowski, Chairman of the Board, Pałac Saski sp. z o.o.

VISUAL IDENTITY

Ania Wieluńska, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Piotr Welk, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Claire Barrault

CURATOR OF EXHIBITIONS

Mateusz Machalski, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Katarzyna Urbańska, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw

BIENNALE PARTNER

Spółka Pałac Saski

OFFICE OF THE INTERNATIONAL POSTER BIENNALE

Kacper Kijewski


The International Poster Biennale was held for the first time in 1966 (at the 'Zachęta' galleries) as the first international cyclical event in the world devoted to the poster field. The idea for this type of review originated among Polish graphic artists and was directly initiated by Eryk Lipiński, for many years the organisation was handled by Prof. Józef Mroszczak, always assisted by Prof. Henryk Tomaszewski, and since 1990, Prof. Lech Majewski (currently President of the International Poster Biennale) has taken care of the Biennale. After 1994, the Biennale was held at the Poster Museum at Wilanów to finally return in 2018 to its birthplace, the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw.

 

Having worked for years to build its brand, the Biennale has always guaranteed the highest quality of the presented posters, as well as signs of innovation in the field. From the very beginning, the IPB has had a circle of supporters visiting Warsaw every 2 years, artists participating traditionally and competing with each other for laurels in this event, as well as, over time, new interested young poster fans.

In essence, the main exhibition of the IPB always has the value of an uplifting set of impressions, in which one can see both the chronicling of the events of the past two years and the creative courage, diversity, breadth, openness - in other words, everything that can be defined generally as freedom. Let the International Poster Biennale therefore be a celebration of the freedom for which each of us is fighting these days.


Office of the International Poster Biennale in Warsaw

Akademia Sztuk Pięknych w Warszawie
Krakowskie Przedmieście 5,
00–068 Warszawa, Polska

office.biennale@asp.waw.pl

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