Born in Przemyśl in 1950, he studied at the Faculty of Graphic Art of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków (branch in Katowice), obtaining his diploma in 1975.  He has been teaching at the school since 1977.  Currently, Prof. Karbowniczek heads the Drawing Studio. He practises drawing and painting, participates in conferences and publishes papers on the theory of art and culture. He was the organiser pf the the 1st International Triennial of Drawing by Art Students (AFA Katowice, 2014). He has presented 70 solo exhibitions and participated in over 300 exhibitions of drawing and painting in Poland and abroad.