Robert Czajka

(b. 1978) – a painter, graphic artists, illustrator, art populariser and toy designer.

He graduated from the Faculty of Painting at Warsaw’s Academy of Fine Arts. His work – characterised by simplicity and an attachment to regular shapes – draws inspiration the Polish People’s Republic era.

He is the co-author of “Elementarz Teatru Lalek” (The Puppetry Primer), a richly illustrated book which introduces the readers to the arcana of theatre life. This erudite, but also amusing textbook teaches children all about wayang puppets, nativity scenes, marionettes and glove puppets.

In 2018 he illustrated the children’s book “Wszystko widzę jako sztukę” (I See Everything as Art, written by Ewa Solarz). Its author promotes an egalitarian approach to art, writing that the works of contemporary – seemingly incomprehensible – artists often stem from everyday experience. Solarz introduces her readers to creators including Ryszard Winiarski, Cezary Bodzianowski, Julita Wójcik, Roman Opałka, Monika Drożyńska or Aneta Grzeszykowska.

As an illustrator, Robert Czajka co-created books including “Architekturki. Powojenne budynki warszawskie” (Architextures. Postwar Buildings in Warsaw by Marlena Happach), “Ilustrowany elementarz dizajnu” (Illustrated Primer of Design) and “Ziemianie” (Earthlings by Ewa Solarz). He has collaborated with the Museum of Warsaw, Polish History Museum, Workshops of Culture in Lublin, National Centre for Culture Poland, and the Book Institute. He creates posters for “Lalka” Theatre in Warsaw, as well as covers and illustrations for the magazines “Twój Styl”, “Książki” and “Pismo”. He creates paper toys for children, such as Paper Town and Animals, and is the author of the art installation Monument of the Scooter Girl, currently located in Warsaw in Trocka Street.

He co-created “Czarodziejska kura”, a children’s magazine which received TVP Kultura’s Gwarancje Kultury (Guaratee of Culture) Award (2010) and the silver medal at European Design Awards. His illustrations and design of I See Everything as Art was honoured with the IBBY award in 2018, and his illustrations for Earthlings received the Ferdinand the Great Award.

In 2016 he created the stage design for the play “Krzesiwo” (Fire Striker, directed by Jarosław Kilian).

More information about Robert Czajka’s work can be found on his website.