Pągowski graduated from The State University of Fine Arts[1] in Poznan in 1978 and began to design posters, which has since become his main interest. In addition to posters, he designs theatrical settings, prints and catalogues.
One of the younger of the Third Generation of artists of Polish School of Posters, he easily made the transition from socialism to capitalism; in 1990, he created his own graphic studio, STUDIO P, which developed into an advertising agency in 1993 and continues in operation today. In 1992, he had become art director of the Polish edition of Playboy.[3] As an artist, his individualized posters evoke a range of moods and ideas. He claims to have created a separate concept for each of his many posters, saying: “Every poster for me is an individual exercise different from the previous one.” His art can be found in many European museums as well as the Museum of Modern Art in New York,.[4] He has also had one-man shows in Stockholm, Paris, London, and Warsaw.
Major awards
1978: 3rd Prize, VIII Biennale of Graphic Design, Brno (CS) International Exhibition of Advertising Art & Poster
1979: Tadeusz Trepkowski Prize, Warsaw
1980: 3rd Prize, Key Art Award, Posters, The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles
1981: 1st Prize, Key Art Award, Posters, The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles
1981: Tadeusz Trepkowski Prize, Warsaw
1982: ”Best Poster of the Month”, September (CYRK PC-242), Warsaw's Best Poster Competition
1983: 2nd Prize, Polish Poster Biennale, Katowice
1983: "Best Poster of the Year", Warsaw's Best Poster Competition
1984: 1st Prize, Key Art Award, Posters, The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles
1986: 1st & 3rd Prize, Key Art Award, Posters, The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles
1987: "Best Poster of the Year", Warsaw's Best Poster Competition
1987: 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prize, Key Art Award, Posters, The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles
1988: 3rd Prize, Key Art Award, Posters, The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles
1989: “City of Posters”, Zacheta Gallery, Warsaw
1990: 1st Prize, Key Art Award, Posters, The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles
2001: “City of Posters Supplement”, Zacheta Gallery, Warsaw
References
^ abCzestochowski, J.S. (ed.) Contemporary Polish Posters in Full Color: 46 Plates. New York: Dover, 1979. v.
^Odling-Smee, Anne. The New Handmade Graphics: Beyond Digital Design. Mies, Switzerland: RotoVision, 2002. 32.
^Marciniak, Thomas. "Art." In Europe Since 1945: An Encyclopedia. Edited by Bernard A. Cook. New York: Garland, 2001. 1015.
^Modern Contemporary: Art Since 1980 at MoMA. New York: MoMA, 2004. 48-49.