Janusz Karbowniczek was born in 1950 in Przemyśl. He studied at the Faculty of Graphic Arts in the Katowice branch of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. He obtained his degree in 1975, which he defended in the Department of Poster headed by Professor Tadeusz Grabowski and the Department of Books headed by Professor Stanisław Kluska. He has taught in his alma mater since 1977, currently holding the position of professor at the Academy of Fine Arts Katowice and heading the Department of Drawing.
Numerous awards, including two at the National Exhibition of Painting 'Bielska Jesień' held in Galeria Bielska BWA (1979 – Medal Bielska Jesień' 79 and Silver Medal in 1987); Second Prize at the exhibition of paintings, drawings and prints 'Hope is in us' in Poznań (1985); First Prize at the Winter Salon in Radom (1987); Grand Prix for the Work of the Year '93, Gallery Art-Nova 2, Katowice (1994); the Award of the Radom District Museum at the Self-Portrait Triennale in Radom (2006), Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis (2013).