About Us
Hello, we are Harriet and Sylwia, a British/Polish duo based in south-east London and founders of Projekt 26 (Vintage Polish Poster Store) and Projekt Mkt (Vintage Poster Market).
At Projekt 26 we are very proud to be the only art dealers in the UK to specialise in what is known as the Polish School of Posters; a ground-breaking art movement, with a truly unique and striking aesthetic, which changed the course of modern graphic design.
After the war, the Polish People’s Republic was placed under strict Soviet rule and suffered great repression and hardship. Yet, from there, an explosion of bright, bold creativity sprang up on the bleak war torn streets. Free from commercial restraint the artists were free to push the boundaries of design.
We sell original vintage posters which were commissioned during the 1950s-1980s by the Ministry of Arts and Culture to promote all of the state owned cultural output. Our collection covers works produced by Poland’s leading artists for films, music, theatre, opera, exhibitions, tourism and the state circus.
We are both drawn to a very similar aesthetic which informs our buying choices; bold, witty and often naively illustrated pieces which have the ability to make us smile.
We work very closely with collectors in Poland and around the world to source authentic originals. All of our re-prints are printed in Poland using exactly the same lithographic process and with full authorisation from the artists and their families.
For us, nothing comes close to the soulful originality and timeless appeal of Polish posters. All are lithographs printed on beautiful matte paper and have an imperfect charm all of their own.
Polish posters were the first which were designed to be ‘read’ - they are full of symbolism and meaning which conveyed the artists’ disdain for the regime. Polish poster artists never stopped fighting for the freedoms they believed in, but always did so with wit and charm.
We believe passionately in preserving the legacy of the artists and hope through Projekt 26 to inject a little of their subversive wit and joyful spirit back into the world.
Prices range from £50 to £1000+ for really rare collector’s pieces.
Press releases
September: Sustainable Interiors - ‘Projekt Mkt’ Vintage Poster Market...
The UK’s one and only vintage poster market returns as a 3-day pop-up at Copeland Gallery in London from 23-25th September 2022. Bring your walls... read more
22.07.2022 • By Projekt 26
London - ‘Projekt Mkt’ Vintage Poster Market brings the UK’s top vintage...
The UK’s first ever vintage poster market returns as a 3-day pop-up at MKII in Clapton on 12-14th November 2021. Get ready to fall in love with... read more
20.09.2021 • By Projekt 26
