Karku standing against a plain white background. He is wearing glasses, a beanie, a blazer over a white shirt, and dark pants. His right hand is in his pocket while his left arm rests by his side.

About Radek Karkulowski

Radek Karkulowski is an artist and educator based in Lahti, Finland. He also works under the artistic name Karku.

He works across visual communication, illustration and typography, and is the author of Tomorrow May Never Come — a long-term artistic practice exploring time and presence through quiet, minimal works.

His artistic practice is developed slowly and continuously, with an emphasis on restraint and attention to the moment. Tomorrow May Never Come functions as an evolving archive of images and prints.

Originally from Poland, Karkulowski studied illustration at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and visual communication at the Institute of Design in Lahti.

Alongside his artistic practice, he teaches visual communication and illustration in art and design education. He approaches teaching as a reflective and shared process, where theory and practice inform each other and visual decisions are grounded in meaning and context, with careful attention to format and material.

Selected background

  • Selected for international exhibitions, biennials and triennials

  • Nomination at the Angoulême International Comics Festival

  • Winner of the Kemi Arctic Comics Competition

  • Recipient of selected cultural and working grants

Selected collaborations

McCANN/WARSAW
Young & Rubicam/WARSAW
TBWA/WARSAW
TBWA/HELSINKI
LOWE LINTAS/WARSAW
Otava
Pohjantähti-Elokuva Oy
MJöLK
Kohu-Live

Student feedback

  • "Radek helped me get motivated and improve incredibly fast with my work in illustration and graphic design. The course helped me a lot to prepare for the entrance exams of the University of Applied Sciences, both mentally and technically."

    Leo Jouhkimow @_taskmask_

  • “I learned more about art and graphic design from Radek in one year, than I did in five years on my own. Radek cares immensely about what he teaches, and of the people he teaches to.”

    Juha Kaverinen @abluehuman

  • “As a professional, Radek Karkulowski is gentle, knowledgeable, and passionate about teaching, students, and the profession. Through his courses, I learned to pay attention to details and the bigger picture in a deeper way and to weigh up my own choices in design work for a better end result.”

    Anton Nikiforov @kuvittelija_nikiforov

  • "Radek is genuinely interested in all his students. I really appreciate the personal feedback he has given, which continues to encourage me to improve my skills to this day!"

    Emmi Kauhanen @emalka.art

  • "I appreciate Radek's encouraging way of teaching and I am grateful for his support in helping me get into my dream field at a university."

    Jere Tähtinen @tahtiartist

  • “I highly recommend Radek Karkulowski's typography course. Radek's modern and comprehensive approach really got me excited about typography!”

    Annica Hentilä @annica_appear

  • "Radek Karkulowski's course taught me how to think visually and understand the importance of critique in the creative process."

    Ohto Helske @ohto_art

  • "Radek's character design course was interesting and fun. His helpful advice and pointers enabled me to hone my design skills."

    Helmi Jäntti