The “Enchantment” mural by Wojciech Kołacz, known as Otecki, symbolically portrays the Biała River, which once divided Bielsko and Biała but now unites them. The mural features three figures — the personified river and the two cities — forming a composition reminiscent of a bridge, emphasizing the importance of unity and cooperation. The design incorporates elements from both cities' heraldry, such as lilies from Bielsko’s coat of arms and roses from Biała’s, highlighting their historical and cultural connections.
The mural’s style draws inspiration from Władysław Szostak’s 1960s sgraffito on the Banialuka Puppet Theater, as well as from old postcards, local folk art, and the colors of neighboring buildings.
Wojciech Kołacz, working under the pseudonym Otecki, is an artist specializing in printmaking, illustration, and murals. A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, he has been creating urban artworks since the late 1990s, often drawing inspiration from local legends and myths. His murals can be seen not only in Poland but also in the USA, Finland, the Netherlands, and France.
The “Enchantment” mural was created as part of the “oBBraz miasta #7” project, organized by Bielska Gallery BWA and the Bielska Gallery Foundation, with funding from the Bielsko-Biała Municipality. The paint used in the mural was sponsored by Castorama Bielsko-Biała.
