The mural, “Festival of the Tree,” captures a sunlit forest scene, where vibrant greens contrast with the deep browns of tree trunks, and golden reflections dance with glimpses of blue sky in the distance.

Ewa Ciepielewska, an artist renowned for her ecological projects, created this work using special air-purifying paints that mimic the natural process of photosynthesis. These paints, containing titanium dioxide, generate reactive molecules that neutralize air pollutants, effectively transforming harmful substances into harmless compounds. It’s estimated that this 100-square-meter mural cleans the air as effectively as a forest of the same size.

Ciepielewska, a co-founder of Wrocław’s iconic LUXUS Group, has been merging art and ecology since the 1980s, with a rich history of exhibitions and public actions. Her artistic style, which blends elements of camp, pop art, trans-avant-garde, and magical realism, often centers on nature, particularly trees. This mural is a continuation of her exploration of these themes.

The mural was created as part of the Klub Gaja’s “Festival of the Tree 2020” educational program, in collaboration with the City of Bielsko-Biała, Bielska Gallery BWA, and ALDI.