Papcio Chmiel And His Proteges

Photos from the opening night | Photos of the exhibition

PAPCIO CHMIEL AND HIS PROTEGES

The first exhibition from the new cycle of presentations at the Museum of Caricature: "Gallery of Comic Art".

December 2015 – February 2016

Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski
Pen name: Papcio Chmiel (b. 7th June 1923 in Warsaw)

Graphic artist, columnist, author of comics and posters. Participant of the Warsaw Uprising (in the 7th Infantry Regiment “Garłuch” of the Home Army, pseud. Jupiter). Member of the Association of Polish Artists and Designers (ZPAP, since 1956), the World Association of Home Army Soldiers and the Circle of Former Soldiers of the 7th Home Army Infantry Regiment “Garłuch” (since 1983).

He studied at the Department of Graphic Art, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw (1950-56), graduating in 1956 from the studio of Prof. Henryk Tomaszewski. As a cartoonist he made his debut in 1947 in “Świat Przygód” (transformed in 1949 into “Świat Młodych”). He worked for this youth magazine as a graphic artist and columnist till 1983.

He is the author of the continuation of a comic printed in “Świat Przygód” – Sergeant King of the Royal Horse Guards (1947), as well as his own original comics printed in that magazine, including: Felix Gaunty and Andy Fatty (1948), Barbra the Prankster (1948), and in “Świat Młodych”: A Skiver’s Half-Year (1951), Witek the Smart (1955-1956), Circus Bum! Tarara (1957), Annie the Telemaniac (1969), Captain Seagull (1970-1972), Cast and Away (1974 and 1977).

Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski has earned tremendous popularity thanks to the comic Tytus, Romek and A’Tomek, printed in “Świat Młodych” between 1957 and 1992 (since 1966 also published in book form). Thirty-one books and more than a dozen albums dedicated to the adventures of Tytus, Romek and A’Tomek have been published so far, amounting to a total of more than a dozen million copies. The image of the three main characters has been used on numerous posters, postal stamps, cups, figurines, dolls, as well as in cartoons, radio dramas and theatrical plays. The International Festival of Comics and Games in Łódź grants an annual award in the form of a badge with Tytus’s portrait and the inscription: “Doctor Humoris Causa – for Contributions to Cartoon Art”. Tytus is also the mascot of the “No Boredom” Festival of Films for Children organised by the Opole Youth Culture Centre and Vip Car company. The 7th Home Army Infantry Regiment “Garłuch” Primary School with Inclusion Classes No. 87 in Warsaw has founded a Chapter of the Diploma of Tytus, which is awarded to pupils for their achievements.

Together with Barbara Tylicka, Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski wrote the children’s book General Ciupinek (1965), which he also illustrated. Chmielewski published an: I Was Born in Warsaw’s Barbican (1999), with a sequel entitled Tytus Vetted (2006) and an extended version: Tarabanie in the Barbican (2013). Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski has published his cartoons in such magazines as “Świat Przygód” (1947-1949), “Świat Młodych” (1949-1984; publications till 1992), “Dookoła Świata” (1954), “Czyn Młodzieży” (1965-1966), and “Kurier Polski” (1972). His works have also been printed by “Fantazja”, “Gazeta Wyborcza”, “Gilotyna” (“Super Express” supplement), and “Rzeczpospolita”.

Awards and distinctions include the Silver Cross of Merit (1957), Order of the Smile (1973), the Cavalier’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (1978), the Cross of the Warsaw Uprising (1983), the Gold Medal of Merit to Polish Culture “Gloria Artis” (2007), the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2009), the Gold Bear of Łuków (2011), and the Medal of Merit to Warsaw (2013).

His works can be found in the collections of: the Museum of Caricature and Cartoon Art in Warsaw, Museum of Independence in Warsaw, Poster Museum at Wilanów (Branch of the National Museum in Warsaw), as well as the Museum of Warsaw.

One of the most interestings sections of the exhibition is the presentation of the original artwork of the Master of Comic Art.

Works from the collection and archives of:

Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski – Papcio Chmiel
Krzysztof Masiewicz

and the archives of
Museum of Caricature in Warsaw

curators: Elżbieta Laskowska, Piotr Kułak
poster idea: Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski – Papcio Chmiel
poster design: Stanisław Gajewski

Papcio Chmiel And His Proteges
first exhibition of the new series presenting Comic Art:
„Gallery of Comic Art" at the Museum of Caricature

opening: 7 December 2015
8 December 2015 – 28 February 2016