Stefan Hepner, a Polish-born artist, began his artistic journey by studying graphic design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, Poland. He then moved to Warsaw, where he specialized in poster design under the tutelage of Henryk Tomaszewski, widely recognized as the pioneer of the postwar Polish poster. Hepner further honed his skills at the Ecole Supérieure d’Arts Graphiques in Paris, France, studying with the acclaimed graphic designer Roman Cieslewicz.
He launched his professional career as an illustrator, contributing to major press magazines and advertising agencies. In the late 1980s, Hepner embraced the advent of the Apple computer, becoming a pioneer of digital illustration in France. This led him to explore the burgeoning field of multimedia, where he created numerous websites and CD-ROMs to investigate the possibilities of these new media.
In 1998, Hepner relocated to New York, where he served as an Art Director for various web design and consulting agencies, while also working as a freelance web designer and consultant. During this time, he also gained extensive experience with the diverse technologies used in antique and modern furniture. This newfound knowledge sparked his interest in product and furniture design, allowing him to merge traditional techniques with computer technology in his artistic endeavors.
A Return to the Canvas
While Hepner’s career has spanned various creative fields, he is now concentrating on his other great passion: painting. This shift represents a return to a more traditional artistic medium, allowing him to express himself through the tactile and fluid nature of paint. His extensive background in visual arts, from the precision of graphic design and digital illustration to the spatial considerations of furniture design, undoubtedly informs his approach to painting, offering a unique perspective that blends diverse artistic experiences.