Jaroslav Sůra studied at the School of Applied Arts in Prague between 1948 and 1954. He was very well known for his theatre poster designs, and is said to have created between 500 and 650 posters. He designed and illustrated about 250 books, drew countless logos and was a talented painter. He had more than 40 solo exhibitions in the Czech Republic and abroad. He often worked together with his wife Vera Surova.

In the AGI Annals, FHK Henrion wrote: ‘Sůra’s style seems to be rooted in a typical Czech tradition: bold, dynamic, powerful shapes related to national folk arts and crafts.’