Catherine Zask (born 1961) is a French graphic designer, typographer and artist.
Biography Zask was born in Paris, where she graduated from the ESAG in 1984. She started her career as an independent designer in 1985.
Since 1985, Zask simultaneously works for commissioned and self initiated projects, using sometimes the letter as a means. She created Alfabetempo in 1993–1994, during her residency at the Villa Medici, French Academy in Rome. This work continues the research she began ten years earlier on letter, tracing and sign. Alfabetempo, Alcibiade, Gribouillis (Doodles), Radiographies de pensées (X-rays of thoughts), Sismozask, Cousu-Zask, The Iris Project, Happy Dots, Splashs… are works she is currently working on, mixing writing, drawings, movies, photos.
She taught at the École de Communication Visuelle (1989–1990), and at the École d'Art de Besançon (1992–1993), gives lectures and participates in juries in France and abroad.
Her work for the University of Franche-Comté was shown at the Centre Pompidou in 1991. Solo exhibitions took place at the Galerie Anatome, Paris in 2004; at the Museum für Gestaltung, Zürich in 2005; at Artazart, Paris, at the Design Centre of the Czech Republic, Brno in 2006, Prague in 2007.
Zask has won several awards, including the Grand Prix at the 20th International Biennial of Graphic Design, Brno, 2002. She is member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale.
Exhibitions
Solo exhibitions 2007: "CZ in CZ",“CZ in CZ”, Moravian gallery's website. Design Centre of the Czech Republic, Prague 2006: Design Centre of the Czech Republic, Brno 2006: "Kaléidozask", Artazart, Paris 2006: "9 saisons d'affiches", L'Hippodrome scène nationale de Douai 2005: Museum für Gestaltung Zürich – curator Félix Studinka 2004: "Zask's the Question",“Zask’s the Question” Galerie Anatome's website. Galerie Anatome, Paris 1991: "L'identité visuelle de l'université de Franche-Comté", École d'art de Besançon 1991: showcase in bookstore la Hune, Paris 1991: Salon Exempla'91 – Schrift-Satz-Buch-Druck, Munich 1991: "La commande publique", six années de création graphique pour l'université de Franche-Comté, CCI, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris 1988: Galerie Equinox, Paris
Collective exhibitions Catherine Zask worldwide participated to many collective exhibitions: Europe: France, Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Finland, Czech Republic, Croatia, Russia Japan, China, India, South Korea, Iran, USA
Collections Sammlung Grafikdesign, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Kunstbibliothek Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris Lahti Art Museum, Finland Les Silos, Maison du livre et de l'affiche, Chaumont Moravian Gallery in Brno, Czech Republic L'Addresse Musée de La Poste, Paris Musée de la Publicité, Palais du Louvre, Paris Museum für Gestaltung,online collection of Catherine Zask Museum für Gestaltung Zürich Zürich Museum of Modern Art, Toyama, Japan PAN Plakatsammlung im Kunstforum Niederrhein, Emmerich, Germany Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Iran
Awards 2010: chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, July 2010 2006: poster contest winner "Concert Sauvage" set up by Die Neue Sammlung State Museum of Applied Arts and Design, Munich“Concert Sauvage” Die Neue Sammlung, State Museum of Applied Arts and Design, Munich, 2007 2006: Golden Bee Award – 7th Golden Bee biennial, Moscow 2004: Golden Bee Award – 6th Golden Bee biennial,winners of the 6th Golden Bee Moscow 2003: special jury award at First China International Poster Biennialwebsite of the first China International Poster Biennial 2002: Grand Prix – 20th BrnoThe 20th Brno Biennial Grand Prix Winner international graphic design biennial, Czech Republic 2001: reward from Fiacre for "Radiographies de pensées” 1997: member of l'AGI (Alliance graphique internationale)Catherine Zask on AGI’s website 1996: winner of the Third Crane European Letterhead Competition 1993–1994: resident at the Villa Medici (Académie de France à Rome) 1989: Dragon d'or of the ESAGMet Award of Penninghen, Design, Visual Art and Interior Architecture school 1988: Typography Excellence Award at type directors Club, New York
Bibliography Poster Collection 12 – Catherine Zask, Museum of Design Zurich and Lars Müller Publishers, with essays by Henri Gaudin and Catherine de Smet,
Notes and references
External links
Pixelcreation Online Exhibition, 2003 Linda Sturling Freelance Graphic Designer Posterpage Online Posters Exhibition, 2003 Lars Müller Publishers, 2005 Rencontres Internationales De Lure, 2002 Linda Cooper Bowen, In Communication Art, 2008