Siedlce mural

Marcin Budziński’s anti-smog mural in Gdańsk’s Siedlce district was inspired by the area’s history. Created in 2023, it serves as a hallmark of the neighbourhood and the Młyny Gdańskie Allcon development on Jacek Malczewski Street.

Object: The mural is painted on a high, rectangular wall of a 19th-century tenement building, separated by a narrow street from the new Młyny Gdańskie development, completed in 2023. On one hand, it conceals the imperfections of the wall; on the other, it provides a compelling reference to the history of Gdańsk’s Siedlce district. The mural depicts a tree, a symbol of longevity, whose crown contains views connected to the area’s unique history: a landscape showing a street and an old mill, and on the left, within a cluster of grapevines, a scene featuring a street accompanied by a basket of grapes. The mural also features colourful grapevines, apple trees bearing fruit, and a decorative inscription reading ‘Siedlce’. The composition’s style is borrowed from 19th- and early 20th-century postcards. The image is painted in subdued tones that complement the surrounding area. It also references the district’s historical past: vineyards on the hillsides, fruit orchards, and the old mill. In the 15th century, this area was home to a mill (Krzyżowniki), with gullies cutting through the slopes of Suchanino, while vineyards and gardens were established on the valley’s slopes.

Location: The mural, located near the Młyny Gdańskie development, was created in collaboration with the Siedlce District Council and the Wakeuptime studio. The artist aimed to enhance the area’s aesthetics and showcase the district’s unique history, which served as inspiration for the Młyny Gdańskie project. The mural reflects the neighbourhood’s past and its garden-like character. In the 15th century, this area was a village; in 1772, Siedlce became part of the United City of Chełm. It was originally inhabited by non-guild craftsmen and Mennonites, and later, in the 19th and 20th centuries, the district was famed for its affordable working-class housing. In 1652, records mention a tavern named Schlapkekrug in the area. Before the Second World War, Siedlce was a district full of gardens, including one owned by the Fahrenheit family. Many examples of wall paintings in Siedlce, including the presented mural, were created not only to beautify the district but also to invite residents on a journey through its history.

Informacje o autorze: Marcin Budziński (b. in Gdańsk) is a visual and graphic artist and designer. He studied at the Faculty of Graphic Arts of the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, graduating from Prof. Sławomir Witkowski’s studio. He has taken part in numerous exhibitions and competitions, including the Polish Poster Biennale, the International Poster Biennale in Wilanów and the Festival of Advertising Posters. He was nominated for the Student Graphic Design of the Year award in Gdańsk and came third in the same competition in Kraków. Together with Mateusz Hanus, he founded the design studio Wakeuptime, which specialises in creating artistic and commercial murals. In 2023, together with Marek Rybowski, he created the largest mural in Poland, located in Łowicz and measuring 3,500 m². Budziński works in the advertising industry, specialising in the design of printed materials and the creation of graphic symbols. He is also the author of advertising murals. He is the author of various murals in cities around Poland. In Gdańsk, his works may be seen on the walls of buildings at 90 Piastowska Street, 16, 3 Maja Street and at the intersection of Biała and Wajdeloty streets.

Condition of the object: very good

Owner/guardian: Allcon

Author of the entry: Oriana Radziuk