Krzysztof Gawronkiewicz - sylwetka autora

Graphic designer, painter, thinker. Alongside Przemek "Trust" Truściński, he stands as one of the veterans of Poland's young comic scene. A graduate of the Fine Arts High School and later the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, his journey began in primary school with comic adaptations of TV shows like "Space: 1999," and he avidly collected American comics such as Tarzan. His education continued at the French Institute, where his exposure to the artistic prowess of European comic masters like Enki Bilal considerably influenced his style.

Gawronkiewicz gained notable attention with "Burza," a legendary comic crafted with the script of Maciej Parowski, a former editor of "Nowa Fantastyka," who often utilized Gawronkiewicz's talent as an illustrator for the magazine. However, this comic was never completed, and even the most extensive version included in last year's anthology "Wrzesień. Wojna narysowana" remains unfinished. By 1990, Gawronkiewicz had already earned recognition as an exceptional artist, adept at using black and white to create intricate and realistic drawings.

His next major project was the comic "Achtung Zelig" with a script by Krystian Rosiński, nephew of the renowned Grzegorz Rosiński. The first pages appeared in the magazine "AQQ" in 1993. The comic, illustrated with a fantastical, rich line and filled with surreal humor and intrigue, explored the lives of two Jews during the war and quickly became a significant event. The fact that it was only published in full 11 years later added to its legend. Attempts to publish it earlier were numerous, with initiatives like combining it into an album with Art Spiegelman's "Maus" proposed in the mid-90s, yet never realized, ultimately benefiting both works.

During his studies, Gawronkiewicz met Dennis Wojda, with whom he began a collaboration after Wojda, working at a nearby easel, asked for help in drawing silhouettes. This partnership debuted with "Mikropolis" in 1994, a comic created on commission. The comic, already mature from its inception, depicts a town where concrete apartment blocks contrast with decrepit old tenements, featuring elements like the Psycho House, an elevator to hell, and Bar 52. Notably, the only industrial establishment within this world is a bouillon cube factory. Gawronkiewicz adheres to a distinct, simple style marked by a realism that seems filtered through a distorted lens. Characters in his work possess unusual physiognomies, each uniquely distinct and instantly recognizable, contributing to a slightly fairy-tale, surreal atmosphere where the town exists between dream and reality.

Two albums about the town and its inhabitants have been released: "Przewodnik turystyczny" and "Moherowe sny," the latter earning its creators a nomination for an artistic award from the television magazine "Pegaz." Another notable collaboration with Wojda resulted in the comic "Tabula Rasa." The artwork is remarkably realistic, capturing Warsaw's locales and existing dwellings with photographic precision, and even including likenesses of individuals known to the authors.

Collaborating with Grzegorz Janusz, Gawronkiewicz received the 1994 audience award and a distinction for "Jedynak," and they now produce noir-style stories about Otto Hero. Their creation "Esencja" won the first European competition organized by Arté television and Gléant publishing, emerging victorious among over 600 projects. The prize includes publishing the complete 32-page comic in France, marking a significant achievement in Gawronkiewicz's career and hopefully the start of a new creative phase where artistic success aligns with financial rewards.

Following this European breakthrough, mainstream media began recognizing his work, with "Przekrój" listing him among cultural figures to watch in 2004. Though primarily focused on comics, Gawronkiewicz occasionally applies his skills to film storyboards, where his comic book expertise proves valuable. He supplements his income by working on advertisements, notably creating campaigns like TP SA's, which reimagined Polish pop culture figures in the style reminiscent of Roy Lichtenstein's art.