We interviewed Pawel Kuczynski, the creator of more than 1,000 illustrations that have gained immense popularity online due to their concise and instantly understandable narratives. Changing regimes, dependence on gadgets, and other facets of modern life are depicted in his works with remarkable precision and irony.
Your illustrations are incredibly thought-provoking, requiring keen observation of society and its dynamics. Even though you come from a different country, I can confidently say that the situations and issues you depict resonate with any society, nationality, or country. Is this true? Do you draw your observations only from Poland, or do you explore other countries as well?
The internet makes it very easy to "observe" the modern world. I’m interested in global problems, new technologies, and relationships between people. I don’t use words in my works, which makes them universally understandable across the world and in any language.
I enjoy observing people and the relationships between them. I’m simply happy when people like my works, find meaningful ideas in them, and start reflecting on changing themselves.
The main themes of your illustrations—war, politics, education, and dependence on smartphones and social media—seem to reflect the most important issues of our time. Do you think these are the most critical topics for modern society, or are they just the ones that matter most to you?
These are the topics I find most interesting. Some of them are new to our era and reflect the state of humanity today.
Have you ever received criticism for any of your works from people who disagreed with their content? What kind of criticism was it?
Yes, I’ve received criticism, but I don’t comment on any interpretation of my works. I’m happy that my illustrations provoke a reaction at all.
I couldn’t find this information, but I assume your works have been recognized with numerous awards and published in magazines. Could you share more about this?
Yes, I’ve received more than 140 awards in cartoon and satirical competitions. I thought this was common knowledge :-)
Do you consider your works to be very serious, or are they meant to make people smile at the simplified interpretation of societal problems?
I enjoy humor that makes you laugh through tears—sometimes even dark humor. Satire or mockery doesn’t always make the viewer feel comfortable, but it’s an effective way to highlight something crucial for understanding.
What is your profession? How do you make a living?
I’m a freelance illustrator; I create for magazines, websites, and book publishers.
How long have you been drawing, where did you learn it, and when did you start creating socially-charged illustrations? What did you draw before that?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always drawn. But my career truly began when I graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań in 2001. In 2004, I started working on satirical illustrations.
Have you ever faced plagiarism of your works? If so, how did you react?
I’m aware that sometimes people steal my ideas. However, I’ve never come across someone copying my works entirely. What’s far more unpleasant is seeing my works online (without my name) accompanied by silly captions or texts underneath or over them.
In your opinion, how important is the role of an artist in modern society, and what does it entail?
I’m glad I don’t know the answer to this question :-) It’s my job. It’s what I do best, and I’m happy that my work matters to others.
Which artists or creatives have influenced you the most?
I loved Caravaggio—his interplay of light and shadow. But I’ve also drawn much inspiration from my peers at the Academy. Watching them work, seeing how they think—we inspired one another.
Can you describe the environment where you create your works? Do you sketch in cafes or work at home on a computer? What’s your process like?
I work on my ideas at home and execute them in the studio. First, I need a subject, then I brainstorm how to depict it (the issue), followed by sketching and drafting the illustration. I use watercolors and colored pencils to create my works.
Have you ever been to Ukraine? What kind of illustration would you create about this country?
No, I’ve never been to Ukraine, but I know some excellent cartoonists from there. A few years ago, I prepared some illustrations about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for publication.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
Work hard. Practice, and practice again.
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