STU Theatre Cracow, Poland

This 1974 poster by Jan Sawka, promoting the STU Theatre from Kraków, is an intense visual explosion of forms and colors that grabs attention from afar. The composition is built around a symmetrical, anthropomorphic structure reminiscent of a human torso, which simultaneously bursts from within into a dense, pulsating mass of abstract shapes—evoking organs, plants, entrails, or organic explosions. The color palette—reds, oranges, and purples—emphasizes the tension, drama, and corporeality of the form, while the deep black background lends the poster a dark intensity. The aesthetic is clearly inspired by 1970s psychedelia and surrealism, aligning with the countercultural and avant-garde spirit for which STU Theatre was known. It’s a powerful image of artistic liberation and creative unrest, emblematic of Sawka’s distinctive work.