Józef Szajna

Studies: Faculty of Graphic Art, Academy of Fine Arts, Krakow. Diploma in the studio of Prof Witold Chomicz, 1952. Diploma at the Faculty of Stage Design of this academy under Prof Karol Frycz. During WWII a member of resistance movement of the Union of Armed Struggle, prisoner of concentration camps in Auschwitz and Buchenwald. Pedagogic work at the Faculty of Stage Design, Academy of Fine Arts, Warsaw (since 1971). Stage designer, and then chief director, art director and director of  the Ludowy Theatre in Nowa Huta. Founder of the Art Centre ‘Studio’ in Warsaw, 1971. Author of theatrical performances presented at international  theatrical festivals. Laureate of awards, among others: Award of Krakow City, Warsaw City; The Alfred Jurzykowski Foundation, New York. Honoured with: the Commander’s Cross; Commander’s Cross with a Star; Grand Cross of the Order of Poland Reborn ‘Polonia Restituta’, The Auschwitz Cross; Gold Medal of Merit to Culture Gloria Artis. And others. Doctiorate honoris causa of the University in Oldenburg, Germany; University in Rzeszów and Silesian University in Katowice. Author of theatrical performances, paintings, graphic works, sculptures, stage designs, and directing plays; author of scripts, theorist of theatre.