Hi, welcome to my blog, where I will tell you about murals in Gdańsk Zaspa. If you like art, culture and travel, you are in the right place. In this article, I will tell you why it is worth visiting Zaspa and admire its extraordinary collection of murals, which is the largest gallery of monumental painting in Europe.
You will learn how this collection was created, what are its most interesting and important works, what significance and value it has for residents and tourists, and how to visit it in a practical and pleasant way. I invite you to read and comment.
Before we get to the specifics, however, I would like to ask you one question: do you know what a mural is? Maybe you think it's just a big picture painted on the wall of a building. But it is not everything.
A mural is not only an image, but also a form of communication, an artistic and social experience, a tool for education and integration, and even a way to change the environment and improve the quality of life. Often confused with graffiti. A mural is a living art that affects people and places.
Mural is also a diverse art that has many variations and styles. You can come across historical murals that depict important events or figures from the past. You can see abstract murals that play with shapes and colors. You may come across realistic murals that reflect reality or create optical illusions. You can admire symbolic murals that have a deep meaning or message. And you can also find humorous murals that make you laugh or ironic.
In Gdańsk Zaspa you will find all these types of murals and much more. Zaspa is a housing estate full of colors and history that attracts both art lovers and those who are curious about the world. It is a meeting place of culture and art that offers unforgettable impressions and emotions. There is a gallery of murals here, which is unique on a European scale.
History of the creation of the collection of monumental painting in Zaspa
Did you know that the collection of murals in Zaspa is the largest gallery of monumental painting in Europe? And do you know how and when this extraordinary artistic initiative was created? If not, I invite you to learn about the history of the collection of murals in Zaspa, which is as interesting and colorful as the paintings on the walls.
It all started in 1997, when on the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of Gdańsk, the first murals appeared on the walls of ten blocks of flats in Zaspa. These were the works of Rafał Roskowiński, who presented two of the most iconic figures of Polish history: Lech Wałęsa, the father of the "Solidarity" movement, which changed the course of Polish and European history at the end of the 20th century, and Pope John Paul II, who was a source of spiritual strength and hope for many Poles.
These first murals were historical and patriotic, and their purpose was to commemorate important events and people from the past.
However, the real flowering of the collection of murals in Zaspa took place only after 2008, when the idea was refreshed and developed by the City Culture Institute. Since then, the collection has been growing every year with new monumental paintings created by artists from around the world. Currently, there are over 60 murals in Zaspa, which represent various styles and themes. Some of them are abstract, some realistic, and still others symbolic or humorous.
But they all have a common denominator: they are an expression of artistic expression and social communication.
The collection of monumental painting in Zaspa is not only an artistic project, but also a social one. Its creators wanted to change the face of the estate, which for many years was considered gray and gloomy. Thanks to the murals, Zaspa became colorful and joyful, and its inhabitants felt pride and community. What's more, the collection of murals in Zaspa has become a tourist and educational attraction for many visitors to Gdańsk.
As you can see, the story of the creation of this extraordinary gallery is a story of passion, creativity and commitment. It is a story of people who wanted to make art a tool of change and dialogue. This is the story of a place that regained its identity and beauty. And this is only the beginning of the story, because the collection is still growing and surprising new works.
If you want to learn more about individual murals in Zaspa, their authors and messages, I invite you to read on. In the following, I will present you with an overview of the most interesting and important works that are worth seeing with your own eyes.
Review of the most interesting and important murals in Zaspa
I have already told you about the history of the collection of monumental paintings. Now I would like to present you an overview of the most interesting and important murals in Zaspa that are worth seeing with your own eyes.
I won't describe all 60 murals because that would take too much time and space, and besides, I don't want to tell you all the secrets and surprises that await you in one of the most interesting districts of Gdańsk. Instead, I have selected a few examples of murals that I believe are representative of the different styles and themes that can be found on the estate.
Here they are:
“Work leader” - a satire on consumerism and socialist realism
On the wall of the block of flats at Bajana 5a you can see a mural called "Work Leader", which is the work of Klaus Klinger, a German artist dealing with murals and international cooperation. This mural was created in 2012 and presents an ironic image of a woman who is a model of work and consumption.
The mural shows a woman wearing a red jumpsuit and a white apron, like a typical socialist factory worker. This woman walks through a blooming meadow, pushing a bottomless shopping cart with various products and objects. The woman has a smile and satisfaction on her face, as if she is happy with what she is doing.
The work is an example of a satirical and critical style, as it presents an image that ridicules and questions both socialist realism and consumerism. Socialist realism was the official style of art in communist Poland, which was supposed to propagate the ideology and values of the system. Consumerism is a modern lifestyle that involves the excessive acquisition and use of material goods. The mural shows that both styles are absurd and harmful to people and the environment. It also shows that the two styles are contradictory and incompatible.
This is one of the best works by Klaus Klinger, who is one of the most active and well-known mural artists in the world, and his works are often inspired by local culture and history, as well as by global issues and challenges. Klinger has created over 150 murals in collaboration with artists from all continents. He carried out mural projects in Germany, Nicaragua, Chile, Cuba, Brazil, Turkey, Poland, Senegal, Namibia.
The mural is an image of a woman who is a symbol of work and consumption in two different systems. It is also a picture of Polish reality, which was full of conflicts and changes. It is also a testimony to the courage and creativity of Klaus Klinger, who was not afraid to tackle difficult and controversial topics. The work proves that art can be a tool of communication and dialogue, even if we do not always agree.
Travellers on the wall - mural about globalization and tourism
On the Bajana 7a street in Gdańsk there is a mural that attracts attention with its size and colors. It is the work of the Spanish artist Sana, who created it in 2013. The artist depicts people from different countries and cultures who travel around the world and visit famous places. What do these travelers have in common? Are they true explorers or just fashion-conscious tourists?
San's work is a commentary on the contemporary phenomenon of globalization and the tourism industry. The artist wants to ask whether traveling is a way to broaden horizons and learn about other cultures, or rather to reproduce stereotypes and perpetuate inequalities.
As San emphasizes, the characters in the mural were previously photographed by him in various places around the world, which shows that they are real people, not imaginary. However, their facial expressions and clothing betray no emotion or personality. They look like mannequins or figures from a board game. Is this what traveling in the 21st century looks like? Is it adventure or routine?
Sana encourages you to reflect on the meaning and value of travel in times when they are easy and common. It also shows the beauty and diversity of the world, which is worth getting to know and respect. It is a work that not only decorates the city, but also provokes discussion.
Dialogue with Polish painting - student mural at Bajana Street
On the Bajana 9a / 11c street in Gdańsk, you can admire the mural, which is the result of cooperation between students of the Gdańsk School of Mural. It was created in 2012 as part of a project inspired by Polish painting of the 20th century. It is a diptych that consists of two parts optically connected by a ribbon. Each part refers to the style and motifs of one of the Polish painters.
On the left part of the work, we can see a fragment of a painting by Tomasz Tatarkiewicz, known for his abstract geometric compositions. On the right side we can see a fragment of a painting by Jan Tarasin, who painted landscapes and still lifes in the Expressionist style. The ribbon connecting the two fragments is a quote from a painting by Stefan Gierowski, who created color abstractions. The ribbon also bears the signatures of the authors and the titles of their works.
The artists' work is a dialogue between students and masters of Polish painting. It shows the diversity and richness of Polish art of the 20th century. It is also a tribute to the artists who influenced the development of Polish culture.
“John Paul II and Lech Wałęsa” - a controversial image of two icons of Polish history
On the wall of the block at Dywizjonu 303 33a you can see a work called "John Paul II and Lech Wałęsa", which is the work of Rafał Roskowiński, the same artist who created the first murals in Zaspa in 1997 year.
This project was created in 1999 and caused a lot of controversy. It presents two of the most famous figures of Polish contemporary history: Pope John Paul II, who was a source of spiritual strength and hope for many Poles, and Lech Wałęsa, the father of the "Solidarity" movement, which changed the course of Polish and European history at the end of the 20th century.
The work shows the pope and Wałęsa in a dynamic pose, as if ready to act or fight. The Pope holds a crosier in his hand, and Wałęsa - a flag with the inscription "Solidarity". In the background, there is a sketch of the papal altar, which refers to the mass that took place in Zaspa in 1987 during the third pilgrimage of John Paul II to Poland.
The pope is painted in a devotional style that resembles the large-scale banners that adorned the gable walls of the blocks during the papal mass. The pope has a smile and a blessing on his face, and his figure is surrounded by rays of light. Wałęsa is painted in a comic book style characterized by sharp and dynamic lines. Wałęsa has a fierce and determined face, and his figure is surrounded by red flames. The papal altar is painted in a sketch style that suggests unfinishedness and imperfection.
The work is not only an interesting example of a combination of art and history, but also an expression of contradictions and tensions that accompanied the Polish political transformation. The mural was criticized by both supporters and opponents of the pope and Wałęsa.
Some considered it a profanation and an insult to the pope, who was treated as a saint. Others considered the graphics to glorify Wałęsa, who was suspected of collaborating with communist services.
The euro in danger - on the crisis in the eurozone
On the Diwizjonu 303 13b street in Gdańsk, you can admire a mural that refers to the political and economic situation in Europe. This is the work of the Argentinian artist Lucas Lasnier, known as Parbo, who specializes in graphics and illustration. The mural was created in 2012, when the eurozone crisis was at its peak.
The work shows a rider on a horse holding a shield with the euro symbol in his hand. The shield is small and does little to protect the rider from danger. The horse is pink, and the fairy-tale rider himself resembles a chimpanzee with his facial features.
The image suggests that the single European currency is at risk and ineffective in defending against economic and social problems. It is run by incompetent people like monkeys. The artist refers to his experience in Argentina, which experienced a serious financial crisis at the beginning of the 21st century.
Mural Parbo is a warning and a critique for Europe, which is struggling with public debt, unemployment and inequality. It also shows that currency is not the only factor connecting nations and cultures. It is a graphic that not only decorates the city, but also encourages reflection on the future of Europe.
The sweeping caretaker: a mural about the everyday and illusion
On Diwizjonu 303 17a Street in Gdańsk you can admire a mural depicting an ordinary scene from city life. It is a janitor who sweeps the wall of the block on which it is painted. The work is the work of Jub Mönster, a German artist who deals with painting, illustration and muralism. It was created in 2010 as part of the "Street Art Jam" project.
However, the painting has a secret that can only be revealed at the right moment. The shadow of the sweeping janitor is painted so that it creates an optical illusion when the sun hits it. Then it looks like the janitor is sweeping the sidewalk, not the wall. Thus, the mural becomes a game between reality and imagination, between two and three dimensions.
There is a legend that the work was personal to the author. The sweeping caretaker was actually Jub Mönster's neighbor who lives in Bremen. And the character is a lawyer who has a habit of sweeping the street in front of his house every morning. Jub Mönster admires his tenacity and passion and decided to celebrate him in his mural.
The work can be treated as a tribute to everyday heroes who care about the order and aesthetics of the city. It is also an invitation to have fun and discover surprises in street art.
A colorful tribute to Szymborska: see a fragment of the Nobel Prize winner's poetry
On the Diwizjonu 303 9d street in Gdańsk, you can admire a mural that is a combination of painting and poetry. This is the work of the Italian artist Opiemme, who is both a street painter and a poet. The mural was created in 2014 as part of the "Vortex" project, which consisted of creating murals inspired by local poets.
The mural shows a cascade of colors that flows from the top of the building onto the wall. They look a bit like a colorful curtain. The colors symbolize the life and energy that street art brings to the city. the background for the cascade of colors is a slightly dark star that looks like a virus or some cell to the bottom.
The work is also intended to attract the attention of passers-by and encourage them to take a closer look at the wall. There, the viewer sees a fragment of a poem by Wisława Szymborska, a Polish Nobel Prize winner and one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.
The verse is from the song "Under One Star" and is "Right, don't pay too much attention to me. Seriously, be generous to me.
Opiemme's work is a tribute to Szymborska and her poetry, which combined simplicity and depth, irony and reflection, humor and seriousness. It is also an expression of admiration for Polish culture and literature, which inspire artists from all over the world.
Construction of the Unit - a mural about the unfinished history of Poland
On one of the walls of the building at Dywizjonu 303 5f Street there is an unusual mural. It is the work of Jacek Wielebski, a well-known street artist who created it in 2010. The work commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Solidarity Trade Union, a social movement that initiated changes in Poland and led to the fall of communism.
In the image we see a human figure that is as if composed of various parts, gears, belts and other elements. This resembles the construction of a machine that consists of many elements.
The artist wants to show us that a man is similar to a machine that must be constantly built and perfected. The artist suggests that the history of Poland and its citizens is not closed, but continues. It is an invitation to reflect on our identity, freedom and dignity.
303 Squadron - mural with human faces of legendary pilots
On the wall of the building at Dywizjonu 303 3a Street, you can admire a mural depicting the pilots of the 303 Squadron, a Polish aviation unit that fought in the Battle of Britain in 1940. The painting is based on an authentic photograph taken at RAF Northolt in London, which shows the construction diagram of the famous Spitfire fighter.
It aims to show not only the heroic attitude of the pilots, but also their individual characters and fates. Each of them has their own story, their dreams, their passions. They are not just anonymous war heroes, but flesh and blood people.
For example, Lieutenant Colonel Jan Zumbach (fifth from left), a squadron ace who used the nickname Donald Duck, became a mercenary, smuggler, discotheque owner in Paris, and air taxi pilot after the war.
The work is a tribute to those extraordinary people who defended the freedom and dignity of their homeland.
Baltic treasures in a can - mural from 303 Dywizjonu Street
On one of the buildings at Dywizjonu 303 3f Street in Gdańsk, you can admire an unusual mural, which was created in 2011. It shows a large can from which emerge fish characteristic of the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea. These are: flounder, cod, herring and plantain.
The mural has an educational dimension as it shows the richness and diversity of the marine fauna of the Baltic Sea, which is threatened by overfishing and water pollution. The work also has an artistic value because it is made in a realistic and detailed way, while having a fun and original idea.
Binary Witkacy
On the wall of the block at Pilotów 8h you can see a mural that is a tribute to one of the greatest Polish artists and writers - Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, known as Witkacy.
The mural depicts a quote from his novel "622 Falls of Bunga, or the Demonic Woman", in which he wrote: "Art is a separate world, it is the ultimate reflection of the unity of being." This quote is encoded in the binary system, that is, using zeros and ones. Zeros and ones are represented by dots of different sizes - small dots are zeros and large dots are ones.
Each line of code consists of six dots, which correspond to one letter or character.
It is the work of the Gdańskie Studio Muralu artistic group, which specializes in creating murals to order.
The design was generated by a computer program that converted the text into binary code. However, this program was not perfect and made a mistake in one line of code that would prevent the quote from being read correctly.
This error was noticed by a professor of mathematics from Gdańsk University of Technology, who reported it to the authors. At the bottom of the mural, you can see Witkiewicz's corrected signature, which reads Stanisław Ignacy Viskiewicz instead of Witkiewicz.
The work is not only an interesting example of a combination of art and technology, but also an expression of respect and admiration for the work of Witkacy, who was not only a writer, but also a painter, photographer, philosopher and playwright.
Witkacy was an extremely original and experimental artist who created according to his own theory of pure form. His works were often controversial and incomprehensible to the audience of the time, but today they are considered masterpieces of literature and art.
Equally, this image is not obvious and understandable to everyone.
“Baltic” - a journey to the depths of the sea
On the wall of the block at Pilotów 10a you can admire the mural called "Bałtyk", which is the work of the French artist Zilda. This mural was created in 2011 and presents an unusual scene from underwater life.
On the mural we see a diver who plunged into the Baltic water and discovered an amazing world full of fantastic creatures and objects. However, these are not typical fish, crustaceans or plants that can be found at the bottom of the sea. They are hybrids that combine organic and mechanical elements, natural and artificial, real and fictional.
On the mural we can see e.g. cars that have turbines instead of wheels that allow them to move on water. We can also see a futuristic submarine that resembles a spaceship. We can also spot strange fish that have human faces or body parts. We can also look at a diver who watches in horror the shoals of these creatures and objects surrounding him. His expression expresses amazement and fear, but also curiosity and fascination.
The painting is made in a blue-green tone, which refers to the actual color of the Baltic Sea.
It is an example of a surreal and fantastic style because it depicts a scene from dreams or nightmares that has nothing to do with reality.
It is also an expression of criticism and irony towards human interference in the natural environment, which leads to pollution and degradation of the sea. And an invitation to reflect on one's own identity and relationship with other beings.
“Narcissus” - a portrait of a man in love
On the wall of the block at Pilotów 5a you can admire the mural called "Narcyz", which is the work of the Polish artist Ekta. This mural was created in 2011 and depicts the figure of the mythical Narcissus, who was so fascinated by his reflection in the water that he did not pay attention to anything else.
On the mural we can see the hand of Narcissus, it is against the background of many elements symbolizing his body. Narcissus, wanting to complete his love, tears out a piece of himself so that he can taste himself. The mural measures 15 x 36 meters and is one of the few such large murals in Zaspa, which was created without the participation of assistants.
The painting is an example of a surreal and psychological style, as it depicts a scene from dreams or nightmares that has nothing to do with reality. It is also an expression of criticism and irony towards human vanity and selfishness, which leads to loneliness and suffering. It is also an invitation to reflect on one's own identity and relationship with other people.
The mural is not only an interesting example of a combination of art and psychology, but also an expression of appreciation and admiration for the work of Ekta, who is one of the most famous Polish mural artists. His works are often controversial and incomprehensible to many people, but today they are considered masterpieces of modern art.
The painting "Narcissus" was included in the World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti published by Yale University in 2013.
Pilot, cows and artist - mural with history in Zaspa
On the wall of the building at Pilotów 6f in Gdańsk, you can see an unusual mural painted in 2013 by Shai Dahan - an Israeli artist living in the United States.
The image shows the pilot of an American Express plane from the 1920s who had to make an emergency landing in a meadow full of cows. On landing, he damaged the fence and caused the frightened animals to flee.
The giggle of history is that the mural was painted on a housing estate that is located within a former field airplane landing pad. The artist wanted to show that his situation is similar to the fate of the unfortunate pilot, because his works in public space can be perceived differently by people, even if he has good intentions.
Shai, when designing the graphics, did not know that his work would be built on Pilotów Street, which gives it additional meaning and symbolism.
The airship and the factory of consumerism - a mural with the past in Zaspa
In Zaspa, at Pilotów 12a, there is a mural that was created in 2009. It is a tribute to the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. Its author is Mariusz Waras, who creates his works in the stencil technique. This technique allows you to paint on the wall quickly, but requires a stencil to be cut in advance in the studio.
The painting shows an airship and an airplane that are related to the history of this place. After consulting with the locals, the artist changed the original plan and painted an airship instead of an airplane.
In 1932, not far from where the block of flats with the above mural is located today. The famous Graff Zeppelin landed at the airport at the current Hynka Street, and in 1913 the SL-1, built by Johann Schütte, a professor at the Technische Hochschule, i.e. today's Gdańsk University of Technology.
The work also has a different layer of meaning, because it refers to another mural that was on the same wall in 1984. It was a mural of M-City, i.e. Marek Czachor and Zbigniew Mielewczyk. It was a protest against the arrest of Andrzej Gwiazda, a friend from the Tricity Mountaineering Club.
That mural consisted of the words "Free the Star", which was painted in a few minutes using a bench brush and a broom. The next day, firefighters tried to paint over the inscription, but they did it so ineptly that the inscription became even more visible, especially at night.
The first letters of the password were left untouched because the firefighters did not have a high enough boom. The authorities asked private companies, but they all refused to cooperate, citing lack of time. The inscription was finally painted over, but it was forever remembered by the local community.
Colorful ivy - mural with a soul in Zaspa
In Zaspa, at Pilotów 14a, there is a mural painted in 2011 by Mazu Prozak. It is one of the most labor-intensive and original projects as part of the "Gdańskie Murale" project.
The work shows plants and animals in vivid and varied colors. The artist calls his work psychedelic ivy because it is partly improvised and uses a record number of colors.
The image occupies the entire wall of the building and is visible from a distance. Residents of Pilotów Street also helped in creating the mural by painting some patches of color in the lower part of the wall. It is not only the work of the artist, but also an expression of cooperation and involvement of the local community.
Lech Wałęsa in pixels on the wall
In Zaspa, at Pilotów 17, there is a work related to Lech Wałęsa. He lived in this block with his family when he was a leader of Solidarity and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
One of the murals was created in 2008, exactly on the 25th anniversary of receiving this prestigious award. The mural is an enlarged photograph of Lech from the time of internment, made by the artist Mariusz Waras.
The mural is interesting because up close it looks like an abstract pattern, and only from a distance does a clear portrait of the Solidarity leader emerge. The mural is therefore a symbol of the struggle for freedom and democracy, which was unclear and difficult, but ultimately victorious.
Rocket - totem - mural with a warning in Zaspa
In Zaspa, at Pilotów 18a, there is a painting painted in 2012 by three artists from Sweden. Visible on it is a totem inscribed in the image of a launching rocket, representing a greedy civilization. The rocket is intended as a way for humanity to escape to another planet when the Earth is completely destroyed by the overuse of its natural resources.
The painting has the title "The Future Was Here", which is a tag, i.e. a signature that in the graffiti culture marks the place of the artist's presence. The Swedes have no doubt - if we do not change our lifestyle and reduce our greed, our days on Earth are numbered.
“Kiss” - a romantic image with a hint of humor
On the wall of the block at Nagórskiego 7a you can see a mural called "The Kiss", which is the work of Piotr Bondarczyk, a Polish filmmaker working in California. It was created in 1997 and presents a frame from one of the most famous film scenes in the history of cinema, enlarged to the size of a wall.
This is a kiss scene between Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara from the 1939 film Gone with the Wind. This film is an adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's novel, which tells the story of the people of the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction. The film is considered a masterpiece and classic of cinema, as well as one of the most romantic and dramatic films of all time.
The image is an example of a pixelated style because it shows a frame made up of small squares of different colors. These pixels create a mosaic effect that looks realistic from a distance and an abstract composition up close.
The mural is also an example of the pop art style, as it depicts an iconic image from mass culture that is transferred to a new context and given new meaning. It is also an example of a humorous style, because it presents an image that causes laughter and surprise in the viewers.
The painting caused a lot of controversy and discussion because some people did not recognize Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara on it, but another famous couple - Lech and Danuta Wałęsa. Lech Wałęsa was the leader of the Solidarity movement and the first democratically elected president of Poland after the fall of communism. Danuta Wałęsa was his wife and mother of eight children.
Some people thought the mural depicted the Wałęsa kiss because Rhett Butler's face was illegible and similar to Lech Wałęsa's face. Others believed that it depicted the Wałęsa kiss, because it was a deliberate device of the artist, who wanted to celebrate or criticize Wałęsa. There was a legend among the inhabitants about the kiss of Lech and Danuta Wałęsa, which was the source of jokes and gossip.
The work is not only an interesting example of a combination of art and film, but also an expression of contradictions and tensions that accompanied the Polish political transformation. He was criticized by both supporters and opponents of Wałęsa. Some considered it a profanation and an insult to the film "Gone with the Wind", which was treated as a masterpiece and a classic of cinema. Others considered it a profanation and an insult to the Wałęsas, who were treated as heroes and icons of Polish history.
Nevertheless, the painting is also proof that art can be a tool of communication and dialogue, even if we don't always agree.
“Millennium of Gdańsk” - view of the city and the bay from above
On the wall of the block of flats at Nagórskiego 9g you can see a work called "The Millennium of Gdańsk", which is the work of Tim Portlock, an American artist dealing with computer graphics and animation. The painting was created in 1997 and shows the landscape of the city's surroundings captured from a bird's eye view. We also see the Gulf of Gdańsk, which is an important element of the landscape and history of the region.
The work is an expression of respect and admiration for Gdańsk, which is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Poland. It is a reference to the context of the festival, i.e. the celebration of the millennium of Gdańsk, which took place in 1997. The millennium of Gdańsk was an opportunity to celebrate the rich and turbulent history of the city, which has witnessed many important events and changes.
This mural, however, caused some controversy because the artist omitted a key element identifying the Gulf of Gdańsk. The promontory of the Hel Peninsula, which is a characteristic element of the coast separating the Gulf of Gdańsk from the Baltic Sea, was not visible on the mural.
The Hel Peninsula is an important place for tourists and residents of the region, because it offers beautiful beaches, forests and attractions.
It is also historically important because of the soldiers defending it during the Second World War. It was repainted from a jack a year later by the same artist who admitted his mistake and corrected his mural.
The artwork is not only an interesting example of the combination of art and history, but also an admission of errors and corrections that are part of the creative process.
“Family” - an image of love and learning between father and child
On the wall of the apartment block at Nagórskiego 9a you can see a mural called "Family", one of my favorites. It is the work of Rustam, an artist from Kazakhstan. It was created in 2015 and presents a scene from family life.
We see a father and a child sitting in the park in the autumn, playing with a rubik's cube. The characters depicted in this scene have Rubik's cube heads, the father has a cube set and now he is putting the child's head/cube together. You can imagine the joy and interest on their faces. In the background there are trees, fallen leaves and toys that testify to the richness and diversity of the world.
The scene is an expression of the message and philosophy of Rustam, who talks about the relationship between a parent and a child. The artist believes that it is very important for children to be educated by their parents, but they must be prepared beforehand. It tells us that parents make every day in a child's life important and vice versa. You can see that the father has already managed to organize his knowledge, and now he is ready to pass it on to his child through learning and playing.
The painting is also proof that art can be a tool of communication and dialogue, even if we don't always use words.
“National Armed Forces” - a tribute to steadfast soldiers
On the wall of the block at Nagórskiego 11c you can see a work called "National Armed Forces", which is the work of Michał Wróbel, a Polish street art and graphic artist. It was established in 2012, on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the National Armed Forces, a military organization that fought against the communists and the Soviets after the end of World War II.
The picture shows the dramatic situation faced by the steadfast soldiers who did not lay down their arms while the rest of the world was celebrating peace. On the mural we see three NSZ soldiers who are surrounded by enemies and betrayed by allies. These soldiers have an expression of courage and determination on their faces, but also sadness and suffering.
It is an expression of respect and admiration for the National Armed Forces, which was one of the largest and longest operating anti-communist formations in Poland. The National Armed Forces had about 100,000 soldiers who fought on many fronts and territories. The NSZ were faithful continuators of the national and independence traditions, which date back to the times of national uprisings and Piłsudski's Legions. The NSZ were also victims of repression and persecution by the communists and the Soviets, who destroyed their memory and merits.
It is not only an interesting example of a combination of art and history, but also an expression of contradictions and tensions that accompanied the Polish political transformation. It arouses discussion among both supporters and opponents of the Cursed Soldiers. The building on which this work is located is located near the Avenue of Cursed Soldiers, whose name commemorates the sacrifice of the fathers of the nation placed on this work.
How to get to Zaspa and how to visit the collection of monumental paintings?
If you want to see the world's largest collection of monumental paintings, you already know that you don't have to fly to New York or Berlin. All you have to do is visit Gdańsk and go to Zaspa, a district of Gdańsk that has become a street art gallery on a global scale.
Zaspa is a place where you will find over 60 murals, which decorate the walls of blocks of flats residential. This is where the Monumental Art Festival takes place, attracting artists from all over the world every year. This is where the Gdańsk School of Mural was established, which promotes local artists and educates about street art. And this is where you can use the services of Local Guides who will show you around this extraordinary exhibition.
How to get there and how to move around Zaspa? Don't worry, it's not difficult. Zaspa is well connected with the center of Gdańsk and other parts of the Tri-City. You can go there by car, bus, tram or SKM train. If you are coming from the airport, you can use our airport transfer, which will provide you with quick and comfortable access to Zaspa. If you are coming from the old town or port, you can order our taxi which will take you to the indicated address.
And how to get around Zaspa? It depends on how much time you have and how tired you want to be. You can explore the collection of monumental paintings on foot, but you must expect that it will take you several hours. You can also rent a bike or an electric scooter and move around faster and more efficiently.
If the weather is not good, you can always arrange with a taxi driver who will take you around the district. And if you want to have everything at hand, you can download a mobile application that will show you a map of the murals and tell you more about them.
As you can see, visiting Gdańska Zaspa is not only a pleasure for the eyes, but also for the body and mind. So do not hesitate and plan your trip to this extraordinary street art gallery.
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