Born in 1984 in Rzeszow, she is a graduate of the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow. She received her diploma in 2011 in Prof. Stanislaw Wejman’s Gravure Print Studio. Since 2011, she has been a teacher at the Władysław Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź.
She has won more than a dozen awards and prizes at home and abroad. Among other awards, she received the Opera Prima – I Prize for Debut at the Bologna International Book Fair in 2009 for her illustrations for the book Fantje, Gimpel Verlag (published in Poland by Muchomor publishing house titled: Słoniątko).
In July 2014, Cichowska also received the Gustav Heinemann Peace Prize (Gustav-Heinemann-Friedenspreis) for her collaborative work – the book The Last Performance of Mrs. Esterka (text by Adam Jaromir, illustrations by Gabriela Cichowska). The book describes the life of Janusz Korczak and his charges at the Orphans’ Home in the Warsaw Ghetto. The book was also nominated in 2014 for the German Prize for Youth Literature (Deutsche Jugendliteraturpreis), awarded at the Frankfurt International Book Fair.
In 2021, in the National Art Biennial – 46 .WINTER SALON she received the Grand Prix, the prize of the Marshal of the Mazovian Voivodeship. In the same year she defended her PhD .
Selected exhibitions and awards:
2024
– LiterOpictures 2024. 24-26 May 2024 WiMBP Main Library, Old Market Square 24
The festival was accompanied by an exhibition of illustrations to the book by Paulina Kosiniak Kamysz titled ..Zajączek
2023
– Individual exhibition entitled. “A sheepskin on milk, a teddy bear in a pocket and the smell of mother”. Rzeszow – Pro- Familia – hospital
2022
– book by Paulina Kosiniak -Kamysz, illustrations by Gabriela Cichowska
– ,,Hare at the dentist ” – Book premiere by Paulina Kosiniak -Kamysz illustrations Gabriela Cichowska
Warsaw, Villa Nova Dental Clinic
– Individual exhibition entitled. “From longing for childhood”, Tarnobrzeg Historical Museum of the City of Tarnobrzeg.
-Charity art auction titled .There are Many of Us , Warsaw
Individual exhibition entitled. “I don’t fall asleep without falling asleep”, Krosno Craft Museum.
Individual exhibition entitled” Pictures with books”. – Jatki Gallery, Ostrów Mazowiecka
2020
46 Winter Salon Radom, National BIENNALE OF
2019
– , “A Fairy Tale about a Reading Bear and a Rabbit Who Fell from the Sky”. – book by Przemysław Wechterowicz, illustrations by Gabriela Cichowska. ISBN 978-83-951792-4-2
2018
-11 01 208 r. Exhibition entitled. “Kafka – breaking boundaries”. Painting. Gallery of contemporary art “Profile” – Poznan.
11 04 2018 r. Exhibition entitled. “Kafka – breaking boundaries”. Painting. NCK Center Gallery – Krakow.
9 09 – 28 10 2018 r.
A solo exhibition of Painting and book illustration.
Kunstverein Zweibrücken and Stadtmuseum Zweibrücken.
Curator Dr. Jurgen Ecker
Catalog ISBN 978-3-86619-140-2
2016
– publication of the book by Julia Hartwig illustrated by Gabriela Cichowska titled “Michael’s Doom”
2017
-22 07 2017 r. Exhibition entitled. “Kafka – breaking boundaries”. Painting. Reszl Castle.
11 10 2017 r. Exhibition entitled. “Kafka – breaking boundaries”. Painting. Gallery of contemporary art “Elektrownia” – Czeladz.
New edition of Franz KAFKA’s aphorisms in Silesian, Polish and German
Aphorisms illustrated with works of about 150 academics of the most important art universities of Poland and the world. Hardcover, A4 format.
2015
-A distinction , “Lodz Eureka ”2015 awarded by the Council of D.S Higher Education and Science at the Mayor of the City of Lodz for winning the Gustav Heinemann Frankfurt Peace Prize 2014 for illustrations for the best German-language book for young people entitled: ,,Fraulein Estheres letzete Vorstellung”
-Opole Silesia Museum individual exhibition entitled. , “Scars of Europe,” the exhibition was opened by the Prime Minister of the Land of Rhineland-Palatinate Malu Dreyer, the District Governor of Kusel County Dr. Winfried Hirschberger and the Director of the Opole Silesia Museum Urszula Zajączkowska.
On July 13 this year, at the Opole Silesia Museum, the Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate Malu Dreyer, the Marshal of the Opole Voivodeship Andrzej Buła and the Opole Voivode Ryszard Wilczyński solemnly opened an exhibition of drawings and collages on the subject of war by Gabriela Cichowska under the title “Cicatrices européennes – Europäische Narben – European scars.” Among the guests of honor were Sabine Haake Consul of Germany in Opole, Dr. Winfried Hirschberger Head of the Kusel District, Mayor of Brzeg Jerzy Wrębiak, Vice-Mayor of the Brzeg District Jan Golonka and Deputy Marshal of the Opole Voivodeship Antoni Konopka.
-Collective exhibition titled , “Postmodern Stories” at the Alma Mater Gallery of Sofia University in Bulgaria.
-Realization of advertising billboards for the company “Skanska”. – Selected by the Authorities of the Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz.
2014
– Award nomination – Nominiert für den Deutschen Jugendliteraturpreis 2014 (Sachbuch).
– Gustav- Heinemann -Friederspreis 2014r. Frankfurt.
– Award for the best German-language book for young people. “Fraulein Estheres letzte Vorstellung. Awarded by the government of North Rhine-Westphalia.
– Gustav- Heinemann -Friederspreis 2014r. Frankfurt.
– Individual exhibition of illustrations “Cicatrices europeennes”. Archives departementales Alencone- France. 70th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy.
– Individual exhibition of illustrations Janusz Korczak Und die Kinder,Mediznischen Zentrum, Kusel -Germany
-Individual exhibition of illustrations Janusz Korczak Und die Kinder,HTW Saar Saarbrucken -Germany
-Nomination of the book Frankfurt Book Fair Germany.for the “Fraulein Estheres letzte Vorstellung” JUGENDLITRATUR PREIS 2014.
2013
Individual exhibition of illustrations and paintings BWA – Kielce Green Gallery, Busko Zdrój
– Individual exhibition of illustrations to the book about Janusz Korczak ,, “Fraulein Estheres letzte Vorstellung”. , Elektromontaż – Rzeszów Gallery at the highest level.
2012
-Internationales Literaturfestival Berlin. Lectures seminars workshops-illustration of children’s books.
7-Baltic Meetings of Illustrators – How to talk about Korczak today- to children and adults?
-Polish Institute in Leipzig, Polish Institute in Vilnius, Zulawy Center in Nowy Dwor Gdanski Individual exhibitions of illustrations
-Personal exhibition of illustrations for the book Fraulein Estheres letzte Vorstellung published by Gimpel
2012
-23rd Biennale of Illustration – Bratislava
-Galeria KONSULART – Platform for Polish-German Exchange. ASP Kraków. Graduates of Prof. Stanislaw Tabisz.
-Individual exhibition of graphics – BWA – Rzeszow. Individual exhibitions of illustrations, workshops.
-Exhibition of illustrations BWA – Lodz. Exhibition on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Faculty of Graphic Arts and Painting of the Academy of Fine Arts – Lodz.
– Exhibition after the International Painting Plein Air Boguchwała 2011 – BWA Rzeszow.
-Individual exhibition dedicated to Janusz Korczak. Museum of Cinematography in Lodz.
-Art Symposium – Drawing, Painting, Sculpture. Polonia Auction House – ART. Książ Castle.
-International Painting Plein Air – Boguchwała
2011
-Graphic nomination in the Polish Section of IBBY “Book of the Year 2011” competition
-Exhibition of young pedagogues of the Drawing Studio of the Faculty of Graphic Arts and Painting of the Academy of Fine Arts – Lodz. Zgierz Art Gallery.
– Exhibition of illustrations for Adam Jaromir’s book “Elephant” – Pinocchio Theater, Lodz.
– Bologna Ragazzi Award Competition – “Opera Prima for Illustrations for the book Elephant.
– PTWK’s Most Beautiful Book of the Year competition – honorable mention.
– Halina Skrobiszewska children’s book contest – honorable mention.
– Individual exhibition entitled Faces of Graphics and Illustration – with the memory of Prof. Wlodzimierz Kotkowski Center for Jewish Culture Krakow.
2010
– Individual exhibition ICN Polfa Rzeszów S.A Podkarpackie Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts – Rzeszów
-Participation in the exhibition , “Art” exhibition of Polish artists – Pineberg Germany.
– Participation in the exhibition ,,To His Neighbor” Zachęta – Warsaw. City Museum Wroclaw Palace of Art – Krakow, BWA Katowice, BWA Rzeszow
-51st competition ,,The Most Beautiful Book of the Year 2010” awarding a distinction for illustrations to Adam Jaromir’s book “Elephant” Warsaw
– Individual exhibition of ,,illustration and collage,, Art Shelter WS Faculty of Art, University of Rzeszow. After the opening of the exhibition, I led Workshop in the Studio of Prof. Włodzimierz Kotkowski and Prof. Wiesław Grzegorczyk , “Expression of Collage and Monotype Techniques”.
2009
-Collective exhibition “And the animals went in pairs. Jozef Wilkoń and today’s Polish illustrators” Internationale Jugendbibliothek – Munich.
– Group exhibition, I colori del sakro – Museo Diocesano di Padova.
2008
– National competition “Tarnów climates”.
– Individual exhibition of drawing and illustration – Gallery of the Faculty of Graphic Arts – Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow.
XVI National Competition of Art named after Vincent van Gogh’,Rybnik
– Individual exhibition of drawings and illustrations- Steel Angels Gallery -Bytom
2007
-National ,,I Student Biennial of Small Forms”-Institute of Art of the State Higher Vocational School in Raciborz
-XV All-Polish Competition of Art named after Vincent van Gogh’,Rybnik
-International post-competition exhibition,,Biennale Internacional IIustrarte 2007 Bareiro,Portugal.
Participation in competitions:
2007
-National ,,I Student Biennial of Small Forms”-Institute of Art of the State Higher Vocational School in Raciborz
29 Mar 2007 Racibórz .Organizer Director of the Art Institute of the State Higher Vocational School in Racibórz curator of the Biennale assistant professor Aleksander Ostrowski, Ph.
-XV All-Poland Competition of Art named after Vincent van Gogh”,Rybnik-November 2007 Organizer: Elektrownia Rybnik Power Plant Foundation Klub Energetyka,Curator of the exhibition Marian Bednarek
– Post-competition exhibition ,,Biennale Internacional IIustrarte 2007 Bareiro, Portugal.Organizer: Eduardo Filipe , Ju Godinho
2008
– National Competition “Tarnowskie klimaty”. Tarnów June 2008, Organizer Tarnów City Hall Office Artistic Exhibitions Municipal Gallery in Tarnów, Director Boguslaw Wojtowicz.
-XVI All-Polish Competition of Art named after Vincent van Gogh”,Rybnik November 2008 Organizer: Elektrownia Rybnik Foundation Klub Energetyka Chairman of the Jury Maria Fiderkiewicz art critic,ethnologist .Curator of the exhibition Marian Bednarek
2010
51 competition ,,The Most Beautiful Book of the Year 2010” Warsaw May 2011 Chairman of the Competition Jozef Wilkoń President of PTWK Rafal Skąpski
– III Competition Children’s Literature named after Halina Skrobiszewska – Director of the Warsaw Public Library
2011
-Graphic nomination in the competition of the Polish Section of IBBY “Book of the Year 2011 Organizer President of the Polish Section of IBBY Maria Kulik Chairperson of the graphic jury Małgorzata Cackowska ,Warsaw December 5, 2011
– Bologna Ragazzi Award Competition – “Opera Prima for Illustrations for the book “Elephant” 2011 09 24 Organizer: Bologna Book Fair.
– PTWK’s Most Beautiful Book of the Year contest – honorable mention. 2011 warszawa Organizer President of the Polish Section of IBBY Maria Kulik
– Halina Skrobiszewska children’s book competition – honorable mention. 2011 Warsaw
2014
– Award nomination – Nominiert für den Deutschen Jugendliteraturpreis 2014 (Sachbuch).
– Gustav- Heinemann -Friederspreis 2014 June2014 organizer Ute Schafe Ministerin fur Familie,Kinder,Jugent Kultur und Sport des Landes Nordrhein -Westfalen
-Nominating a book for the “Fraulein Estheres letzte Vorstellung” JUGENDLITRATUR PREIS 2014 Frankfurt Book Fair Germany; Frankfurt Book Fair Oct2014
Participation in the workshop:
2008
-International Artistic Drawing Workshop Harenda 2008 Organizer; Faculty of Graphic Arts, Department of Drawing and Painting, Academy of Fine Arts Cracow
2010
-Workshops in the Studio of Prof. Włodzimierz Kotkowski and Prof. Wiesław Grzegorczyk , “Expression of Collage and Monotype Techniques”.
2011
-Pinocchio Theatre, Lodz. Leader of the workshop for children entitled ,,Pinocchio never lies ”Elephant workshop 1June2011 Organizer Pinocchio Puppet and Actor Theater.
2012
-12 Internationales Literaturfestival Berlin. Lectures seminars workshops -illustration of children’s book Organizer Peter -Weiss-Stiftung fur Kunst und Literatur e.V September 2012
2014
– Festival and art workshops entitled. “Dark and funny”. Frofflung am Donnerstag den 6 November un 19 Uhr/n Stadtpfarrkriche Muncheberg 2014. Guest of honor: Gabriela Cichowska. September 2014
-Great Mountains Art Workshop Creative Activities for students Zofia Kossak Foundation
Participation in seminars:
2012
-Internationales Literaturfestival Berlin. Lectures seminars workshops -illustration of children’s book Organizer Peter -Weiss-Stiftung fur Kunst und Literatur e.V September 2012
7-Baltic Meetings of Illustrators. lectures ,seminars “How to talk about Korczak today- children and adults?”.
-Polish Institute in Leipzig, Polish Institute in Vilnius, Zulawy Center in Nowy Dwor Gdanski Individual exhibitions of illustrations
-Art Symposium – Drawing, Painting, Sculpture. Polonia Auction House – ART. Książ Castle.
Participation in achievement competitions:
2015
-A distinction , “Lodz Eureka ”2015 awarded by the Council D.S of Higher Education and Science at the Mayor of the City of Lodz for winning the Gustav Heinemann Peace Prize Frankfurt 2014 for illustrations for the best German-language book for young people entitled , “Fraulein Estheres letzete Vorstellung”.
2014
– Award for the best German-language book for young people. The book title Fraulein Estheres letzte Vorstellung. Awarded by the government of North Rhine-Westphalia.Deutschen Jugendliteraturpreis 2014paz October (Sachbuch) – Gustav- Heinemann -Friederspreis 2014.
2011
– Honorable Mention Bologna Ragazzi Award 2011 – in the category Opera Prima (illustrator’s debut) for Illustrations to the book “Elephant”.
2010
-Distinction. In the III Competition Literature children’s literature named after Halina Skrobiszewska – for illustrations to the book by Adam Jaromir , “Elephant” Publisher ;Muchomor. The book is entered on the Treasures List Children’s Book Museum
2009
-II All-Poland Borders of Drawing Triennial Ii Prize of Podkarpackie Society of Encouragement of Fine Arts
XVII All-Polish Competition of Art named after Vincent van Gogh”,Rybnik equivalent prize for a set of painting works ,,Composition I,II,III and ,,Multyplikacje”.
2008
– National competition “Tarnów climates”.Second Prize of the President of the City of Tarnów for a series of works entitled,,On pins of grass”.
-XVI All-Polish Vincent van Gogh Art Contest”, Rybnik First prize for a set of painting works.
-Vth edition of the Child Friendly Toy competition 2nd Prize in the debutant category for toys Mr. Sz,Fik, and Rebecca
2007
-Polish ,,I Student Biennale of Small Forms” Grand Prix award -Institute of Art of the State Higher Vocational School in Raciborz
-International post-competition exhibition ,,Biennale Internacional IIustrarte 2007 Bareiro – Portugal. Honorable mention for a series of illustrations.
