The Quay Brothers: In the Labyrinth of Imagination

Americans who fell in love with the culture of Central and Eastern Europe over half a century ago – and never let go. When they began their studies at the Philadelphia College of Art in the 1960s, they accidentally stumbled upon an exhibition of Polish posters. They had no idea who the artists were, but they felt an immediate curiosity about the new, unfamiliar world these Polish graphics conveyed. Brothers Stephen and Timothy Quay first visited Poland in the mid-1970s at the invitation of painter and graphic artist Andrzej Klimowski. By that time, they had already moved to London, where they relocated to create their first experimental animation, funded by a grant from the British Film Institute.

Their latest film, Sanatorium Under The Sign Of The Hourglass, is based on the short story collection of the same name by Bruno Schulz. Interestingly, in 1973, Wojciech Jerzy Has also adapted these stories for the big screen. The screening at the Timeless Film Festival Warsaw will mark the film’s Polish premiere.

The Quay Brothers will be special guests at the Timeless Film Festival Warsaw.

This retrospective is curated by Adriana Prodeus.

The retrospective is supported by the British Council as part of the UK/Poland Season 2025.