Kopel Gurwin: Vintage Israeli Poster Collection

The Farkash Gallery is proud to present our collection of vintage Israeli iconic posters by Kopel Gurwin. 

Kopel Gurwin is considered one of the most important and distinctive voices in Israeli visual culture. Throughout his career, he merged Jewish symbolism, history, biblical narratives, and the modern Israeli spirit into iconic national designs.

Born in Vilna in 1923, Gurwin survived Nazi labor camps as a child and suffered the loss of his immediate family—experiences that imbued his art with profound emotional resonance. After immigrating to Israel in 1950, he studied at the Bezalel Academy and quickly emerged as one of the most prolific and influential figures in Israeli design.

Gurwin created some of the most iconic posters in Israeli history—ranging from Independence Day designs to national events and cultural campaigns. His work brought Hebrew texts and Jewish motifs vividly to life. His bold compositions, rich color palettes, and meticulous craftsmanship transformed ancient stories into powerful contemporary representations of Jewish identity. His works became fixtures in synagogues, public institutions, and private collections around the world, helping to shape a visual language deeply rooted in Jewish heritage.

In his design, Gurwin bridged past and present, guided by a personal journey marked by Holocaust survival. From the 1950s through the 1980s, he won numerous national competitions in poster and textile arts and exhibited internationally—from Tel Aviv to New York. Kopel Gurwin passed away in 1990, leaving behind a legacy stitched not only in felt but in the cultural fabric of Israel itself.