From April 5th to April 29th, 2024, the Jagiellonian Library in Krakow will present books by Radosław Nowakowski, a musician, drummer in the band Osjan, and creator of unconventional books.

The artist combines two directions in his works: "liberature" and artist books. In addition to words, he uses the physical characteristics of the book, such as illustrations, size, shape, colour, and typeface. During the exhibition we will present, among others, long leporellos ̶ accordion-like works that fascinate literary scholars both in form and content.

Each of Radosław Nowakowski’s works is unique and unrepeatable. As a publisher and bookbinder, he prepares, prints, binds, and decorates his books all by himself. The art of the book constitutes the most important thing for him and he undoubtedly deserves the title of total artist.

The original works selected for the exhibition are part of a larger collection donated to the Jagiellonian Library in 2021 from Katarzyna Bazarnik and Zenon Fajfer, also creators and theorists of liberature. Thanks to this gift, variant versions of individual titles will be on display.

The exhibition is complemented by books by artists associated with the Book Design Studio at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow and the Institute of Arts and Design of the University of the National Education Commission in Krakow. Currently, only art schools cultivate the black art and are not afraid of experimenting.