National Museum in Krakow hosts Cepelia exhibition

The National Museum in Krakow has launched ‘Obywatelka Cepelia’, the first comprehensive critical exhibition in Poland dedicated to the Centrala Przemysłu Ludowego i Artystycznego (Cepelia). Founded in 1949, the institution shaped Polish aesthetics for four decades by integrating folk patterns into modern interiors and promoting domestic craftsmanship globally.

The exhibition explores the full spectrum of Cepelia’s operations, including design, production, research, and international trade. At its peak, the organization employed 45,000 people, managed nearly 100 manufacturing cooperatives, and operated over 300 sales points in Poland, with representative salons in cities such as Brussels and New York.

Curated by Piotr Korduba and Anna Wiszniewska, the display features a wide range of items, including textiles, ceramics, furniture, jewelry, and posters. The collection includes works by prominent designers such as Jolanta Owidzka, Wojciech Sadley, and Helena and Lech Grześkiewicz, alongside mass-produced goods and examples of ‘Cepelia kitsch’. Many objects on display are being shown for the first time, sourced from private collections and museum archives.