1980s Polish Sobriety Poster, Badz Kolega (Be a Friend! Don't Agree to Drinking While Working)

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Date: 1980s
Size: 26.75 x 18.5 inches
Artist: Witold Janowski

About Polish Sobriety poster: Work from the 1980s provides various … Read more Date: 1980s
Size: 26.75 x 18.5 inches
Artist: Witold Janowski

About Polish Sobriety poster: Work from the 1980s provides various examples of more overt oppositional meanings encoded in alcohol posters. The political salience of drinking became the subject of public debate in 1980, when Solidarity leaders accused the state of “pushing” alcohol and aligned their protest with abstention. Thus, the familiar theme of sobriety in the workplace took on a different ideological import, as the earlier productivist message rang hollow in the face of economic disaster. Janowski's depiction of a worker's gloved hand sealing an open vodka bottle, under the caption “Be a friend,” surely represents Solidarity, with the hand's outsized perspective indicating the power of numbers over a dangerous opponent. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2951971/)

About the artist : Witold Janowski (1926–2006) was a prominent Polish artist known for his contributions to the Polish School of Posters, which became famous for its creative and artistic approach to poster design, especially for cultural events such as films, theater, and circuses. His work is recognized for its vibrant colors and expressive, often surreal, imagery.

Janowski was especially active in the 1960s and 1970s, producing posters for circuses (CYRK), film, and cultural exhibitions. His designs often reflect a blend of whimsical and avant-garde styles, using bold compositions and eye-catching graphics. See less