art blender
swanski
A
rtist and designer Pawel Kozlowski, better known as Swanski, lives and creates in Warsaw, Poland. Growing up in the communist system of the Eastern Bloc has given Swanski and his work a unique perspective. With harsh memories of food rations and tanks on the streets, he can also see the negative aspects of the free market: “Capitalism has just a different definition of freedom and slavery.” Swanski’s primary education was through a handcraft school where he learned about jewelry and engraving. But after trying fine art training at three universities, he chose to go his own route rather than conform to academic norms. As for his style, it’s bold with a handcrafted element, while the stark lines and hatching are a new take on old-school graphic art pioneered by Powell-Peralta and Santa Cruz. Along with skateboards, Swanski has been known to paint multi-storied buildings and vehicles to great affect. For over ten years he’s been creating graphics for various skate companies such as Cliché, Listen, Creation and Autobahn. He did insole art for Footprint pros Brandon Biebel and Guy Mariano, who asked him to turn the design into a board for Girl. This led to Swanski painting a wall at the Girl Park, doing a series of boards for their 20th anniversary, and collaborating with Lakai (new tees and shoes available in July). There’s also Turbokolor [turbokolor. com], the clothing brand Swanski runs with a group of friends, which is hitting North American shops this year with its unique camos and patterns. —Randy Laybourne
swanofobia.com
“When I met Pawel Kozlowski I had no idea who he was. Then I went into the Girl Park and ‘Swanski’ had transformed one of the walls with his flowing black line work. I put two and two together: Pawel is Swanski. He’s a pro with a real trademark feel to his work. I’m a true fan.” —Andy Jenkins
left to right from top: Girl “Guy Swanski” deck Girl “Carroll Swanski OG” deck Girl “Kennedy Swanski OG” deck Girl “Mariano Swanski OG” deck Girl “Mikemo Swanski OG” deck Lakai “Swanski Collection” Camby Lakai “Swanski Collection” Albany Lakai “Swanski Collection” Camby Mid Turbokolor "UXA" jacket Turbokolor "Leaf Camo" jacket Footprint “Swankski King Foam” insole Turbokolor "Skate Duffel" bag Girl Park painting
“Untitled” by Swanski. Created exclusively for Concrete Skateboarding. 24
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