Alain Le Quernec

After completing his higher education in Paris in 1962, Alain Le Quernec became a drawing teacher and designed his first printed poster. His time spent at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw with the painter and poster artist Henryk Tomaszewski in the 70s greatly influenced his artistic career, leading him at the time to arrange the layout, words, and symbols of his works according to the formal standards of the Polish school. Poster design was a way for him to take a stance on a subject, express his point of view, and share ideas and information. As a militant poster artist, Alain Le Quernec has designed posters for local, national and international causes. He has created political and social posters (strikes, oil spills, Amnesty International…) and has often worked on cultural events (festivals, films, theatre…) and health-related issues (anti-smoking campaigns…). He has also collaborated with a number of newspapers, particularly Le Monde, on illustrations and carte blanche interventions. He has lived in Quimper since 1972, making this Breton setting a main feature of his work. Alain Le Quernec is considered one of the greatest French graphic designers. He has also curated a large number of exhibitions.