Season 2 Episode 2:

ŁÓDŹ
with PRZEMYSŁAW ‘TRUST’ TRUŚCIŃSKI

 
 

Przemysław "Trust" Truściński, born in 1970, is one of the most prominent Polish comic artists, known for his surreal and evocative style. He graduated from the Faculty of Graphics at the Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź and co-founded the Association of Artists 'Contur' in the 1990s. He played a key role in organising the first comic conventions and festivals in Poland, helping to foster a vibrant comic culture.

 
 
 
 
 

Trust’s work is defined by surreal, dreamlike, and fantastical themes. He masterfully blends various artistic techniques, creating graphics that evoke deep emotional responses, often oscillating between fascination and anxiety. His innovative approach to exhibiting his work involves enlarging comic strip frames to transform them into autonomous art pieces, shifting their impact on the audience.
He has contributed to various notable comic book compilations, including Trust: Historia Choroby (Trust: History of Disease), Komiks Wa-wa, and Meanwhile, the latter being published during Poland's EU presidency. His contributions extend beyond comics into art direction and jury roles for anthologies like Komiks kontra AIDS and Wrzesień: Wojna narysowana (September: The Drawn War).

 


 

Truściński has been involved in a wide array of creative projects, from mural paintings for the Warsaw Uprising Museum to designing The Witcher for a video game. His artistic portfolio includes advertisements for brands like Pepsi and Nescafe, club interior designs, and book illustrations, such as Czerwona mgła (Red Fog) by Tomasz Kołodziejczyk.

source: culture.pl

 

 
 

Łódź, the third-largest city in Poland, is a hub of creativity, history, and industry. Once a thriving textile centre, it has transformed into a vibrant cultural destination that blends its industrial past with modern innovation. Known for its distinctive architecture, including grand 19th-century factories and Art Nouveau townhouses, Łódź offers a rich tapestry of artistic expression. At its heart is the long, bustling Piotrkowska Street, one of the longest commercial streets in Europe, lined with restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and historical landmarks.

 
 
 

OFF Piotrkowska is a symbol of Łódź’s creative renewal. Set in a former textile factory, this district has been transformed into a bustling cultural space filled with independent galleries, design studios, cafes, restaurants, and bars. It is a popular destination for both locals and visitors, known for its lively atmosphere, unique events, and vibrant nightlife. Blending the city’s industrial roots with a fresh creative spirit, OFF Piotrkowska is a key part of Łódź’s cultural identity, showcasing its evolution from a manufacturing powerhouse to a city of art and innovation.

 

The city is also home to numerous museums, including the Central Museum of Textiles and the Museum of Cinematography, reflecting its deep ties to both industry and film.

 

The Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź is one of Poland's most prestigious art institutions, offering a wide range of programmes in painting, graphic design, and multimedia. Named after the avant-garde artist Władysław Strzemiński, the academy fosters a progressive and experimental approach to the arts, encouraging students to push boundaries and explore new forms of expression. The academy’s strong emphasis on practical skills, combined with theoretical knowledge, has produced many renowned artists, including comic artist Przemysław Truściński. Its influence extends beyond the classroom, contributing to the city's reputation as a centre for artistic innovation.

 
 

The Comics and Interactive Narrative Centre is the first large-scale institution in Poland dedicated to both comic books and video games. Its foundation is built on the 30-year legacy of the International Festival of Comics and Games in Łódź, the largest event of its kind in Central Europe. Today, the centre is co-organised by a team of enthusiasts from EC1 Łódź, who bring their passion and expertise to this unique project, further solidifying Łódź's reputation as a key hub for comics and gaming culture in the region.


Watch the second episode: