Expo murals in Łódź, Katowice and Warsaw

Ola Koleśniak, illustrator, designer of the Expo mural in Warsaw

“The purpose of murals is to promote Poland’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai. Each of them is created in a unique style, we show that Poland is full of diversity, art and creativity, we reach people’s awareness in an original and eye-catching way. The Poland Pavilion at Expo is a result of the work of many talented artists who want to engage in changes and shape the future. I am glad, that thanks to what I do, thanks to illustrating, I also have the opportunity to contribute to this and be a part of something bigger”.

Patryk Hardziej, illustrator, graphic designer, academic teacher, designer of the Expo mural in Katowice

“Each project is a new challenge, and this was also the case here. First, I was thinking what is valuable in Poland, but also common, and the choice fell on nature. The illustration is an original analysis of well-known symbols combined with triangles, which at first glance may seem abstractly arranged shapes, but if we know the facade of the Poland Pavilion at Expo, we will find connections”.

Adam Quest, illustrator, designer of the Expo mural in Łódź

“Taking part in the Expo 2020 Dubai project is a kind of a reward and another culmination point of my career. It is, in a way, a dream come true for many artists. Each of us wants to reach the widest possible audience with our message. In this case, the plan is fulfilled in 100%, and above all, the fact of promoting Poland on the international arena, adds even more value to this project.

The main message of the mural that I designed, is to show Poland and Łódź as a dynamic place, where changes are part of our everyday landscape. Lódź, like most of Polish cities, is associated with homogenous, gray buildings, so-called “concreteosis”, and communist architecture. The present, on the other hand, completely denies this. Cities are turning green, reconnecting man with the nature. The proposed illustration shows this restoration, where the city, apart from brick, asphalt and cement, is a specific habitat of fauna and flora. It is no coincidence that the Manufaktura Gate appears in the illustration. Its open part shows the readiness of the metropolis to return to its roots, to the renaturalization. Another element of the illustration is planting a tree, as a symbol of the willingness to pass a life-friendly place / planet to the next generation”.

Marcin Budziński, Creative Director WAKEUPTIME, coordinator and producer and of Expo murals

“Participation in promoting Poland on the international arena, during the World Exhibition Expo 2020 Dubai, is a great honour for me, and at the same time great fun. Not every day I work on such interesting and cool projects, that I can initiate by myself. Certainly, the biggest challenge was the coordination of the entire process: the selection of artists, following creative brief, and at the same time include the guidelines of city halls, then a lot of challenges related to logistics and weather. Painting is in the end of the process – it’s just a pleasure.

In Poland, every day at least one mural is created. Sometimes poor projects, but sometimes also really epic. I’m glad that people appreciate this form of art. A thing painted in large format, often inspire admiration and respect of the local community, regardless of whether it is a city or a village. Even in the case of painted advertising campaigns – painted creations look better and have more style than ordinary advertising banners”.

During the creative process, artist were asked to keep in mind the following guidelines, regarding their designs and include aspects as: promotion of Poland at Expo 2020 Dubai and the event itself; refer to the internal exhibition, aesthetics and architecture of the Poland Pavilion; reflect in an interesting way the motto of Polish participation at the Expo – “Poland. Creativity inspired by nature”; fit well into the urban space, without disturbing its original aesthetics. It was also very important to show connections between Poland and the Middle East according to the theme of Expo 2020 Dubai –“Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”.

To take care of the environment and air condition in cities, smog-absorbing paints were used when creating murals.

Special thanks to all artist and representatives of cities authorities from Łódź, Katowice and Warsaw involved in this project.