Protein, in association with Eye Sea Posters, is excited to present Iluzjon, an exhibition that showcases the very best of Polish film and theatre posters from the 1960s and 1970s. The exhibition will run from October 19th - 29th at our gallery, 18 Hewett Street.

Commissioned by state controlled film and theatre institutions during the communist era in Poland, these posters created alternative imagery to the foreign originals they deemed inappropriate to use as advertising. Often they had little visual reference to the film itself when creating the alternatives, resulting in off the wall and seemingly unrelated imagery. It provided an opportunity for some of the most revered national artists of the time to showcase their skills in conceptual design.

Polish poster design has since gained international acclaim for its distinctive graphic style - bold, colourful, surreal and often with a satirical sense of humour or subversive theme, making them highly collectable and increasingly sought after. At the exhibition, rare examples will be on display, and for sale, by renowned designers including: Wiktor Gorka, Waldemar Swierzy, Franciszek Starowieyski, Andrzej Krajewski, Jerzy Flisak, Maria Ihnatowicz, Jan Mlodozeniec and more.

There will also be a series of events to coincide with the exhibition that highlight Polish culture and contribution to design and film. London based artist and curator, Stanley Schtinter, has organised an impressive array of film related events that often involve the screening of previously unreleased and forgotten cinema gems and soundtrack music nights. He will be curating an evening dedicated to Polish cinema, allowing for a unique opportunity to watch on a big screen carefully selected and incredibly rare films.

The private view for Iluzjon will take place on the 18th October from 7-10pm. Please join us for refreshments from Davna Polska Wodka and DJs playing the best in Soundtrack Music - just RSVP

Opening times:
Monday - Friday: 8am - 6pm
Saturday - Sunday: 11am - 4pm