“Stopping time with photography” - Interview with Krzysztof Wojasiński
Krzysztof Wojasiński is an artist who creates an unusual combination of photography and various visual forms. He often searches for interesting graphics in the public domain, wanting to give them a second life in the form of a combination with his own work. In his works we can see many messages hidden behind metaphors, as well as literal messages. Krzysztof's work is an interesting direction for today's youth and emerging artists. On his Instagram profile, we can see the young artist's creative process as well as the meaning of the works in the descriptions. Nevertheless, Krzysztof does not limit his work to one interpretation and is always willing to hear reflections from those watching. The viewers may look at his works in different ways, but they nevertheless evoke certain reflections, rooted in the everyday life of human beings. In addition to playing with visual art, we can look forward to other things from under the young artist's hands.
To find out more, we invite you to get to know Krzysztof in an interview with Detective Ann. :)
* Interview includes photo with imitation blood
Detective Ann:
Let’s start with the fact that your art is based on photography combined with various visual forms. When did you begin your journey with photography, and where did the idea for your unique style come from?
Kris:
I started my journey with photography at the beginning of technical school, so around 7–8 years ago. I got a new phone that slightly blurred the background, and I was super excited about it. I remember being at my grandma’s and taking photos of a tree trunk. The next day, I created an Instagram account and posted them. Photography has been present in my family for years—my mom has albums full of family photos—so that might have subconsciously influenced my path. As for my style, it came about by accident. I came across a public domain content site on TikTok, got curious about what I could do with it, and started experimenting. That’s how my first work came to life, and then another one followed. I took a few months off to try other things, but since October I’ve been creating regularly and sharing it with the world.
Ann:
It’s really interesting how your journey has unfolded since then. Where do you get ideas for creating such forms of art? Does it take you a long time to come up with a concept you consider strong?
Kris:
Ideas come to me naturally. I draw a lot from my surroundings and conversations with people. When I walk down the street, I notice shapes, places, or themes that I later translate into my art. Of course, the concepts are very fluid, and I’d describe my process as chaotic and spontaneous. I never fully know what the outcome will be, and that’s the best part—every piece would look different if I made it today. In fact, some of my early works have been given new life through re-edits.
I also draw heavily from culture. Sometimes I catch single lines or phrases from rap lyrics and use them as a basis to create my own world. One such case was an archival photo illustrating the line: “Don’t catch the glass when it falls, or you might cut your hands,” by Aleksander “Kopruch” Kozłowski.
Ann:
If we were to expand on the topic of drawing inspiration from your surroundings, what inspires you most and how? Could you give us an example based on one of your already published works?
Kris:
I think space, definitely. I’ve always been drawn to those ugly, forgotten places. I was fascinated by the streets—the dirty, gray ones with scribbles on the walls. On social media, I saw photos of beautiful flowers and greenery, while I was wandering through abandoned buildings pretending to be a photographer. Today, I still like to explore places people don’t usually look at, but now I’m more inclined toward capturing everyday scenes, more connected to human life. I also can’t forget about people. For example, in a recent piece I published, I wanted to depict human life. The street where I took the photo is real, and just a bit down the road, people live—even though the place looks abandoned. The figure I placed there isn’t a caricature; it’s a reflection of reality.
Ann:
Do you feel sentimental about your works? Do you have any favorites?
Kris:
It’s still so fresh that I don’t really feel sentimental yet—maybe toward the photos themselves. Not necessarily the images, but the time and circumstances in which they were taken.
As for favorite pieces, one would be one of my first called “Starsi panowie” (“Old Gentlemen”), another is a collaborative piece with @monn.art_, which was my first work created with another artist, and one featuring a cat, because it was based on a real moment that actually happened.
It’s hard to pick favorites, because each new work usually brings positive emotions and feels like something new to me.
Ann:
Since we’re on the subject of your works and the emotions they evoke—what themes come up most often in your art? Do you feel something specific while creating?
Kris:
That’s a tough one. I’m not always aware of the emotions that accompany me while creating. There was a time when sadness drove me to create something new, but now I’m calm, so that no longer works. I create from the perspective of an observer—I don’t pour a specific emotion into the piece that I’m feeling at that moment. It would be difficult anyway since some works take me days, weeks, or even months to complete.
I want the viewer to feel whatever they want to feel—not what I’m trying to force them to feel.
Ann:
If you were to look at your works and summarize them, what theme shows up the most? Is it obvious or more hidden?
Kris:
I haven’t really thought about it. In some works, the theme is clear. Generally speaking, a lot of my art reflects our society. Sometimes the message is more hidden, like in the piece with the rooster and hen. You’ve probably seen it. Did it cross your mind that those animals might represent people? The setting and proportions used weren’t random—they’re meant to convey something. Honestly, I believe I can create interesting images without overthinking. I can use metaphors—I think I’m capable of that—but not every piece has to be one that opens the viewer’s eyes to what I want to show. A lot of what I do is also about having fun, and I think you’ll often see more casual works from me—some of them without any deeper meaning.
Ann:
From what you’ve said, I get the sense that you’re open to different creative paths and don’t plan to stick to one niche. You allow yourself to explore the artistic world. What can we expect from you in the near future?
Kris:
That’s true—I don’t want to stick to just one thing. Right now, I’m having fun with digital art. I’ve had small (very small) episodes with drawing and painting in the past. I’m really into street art and linocut printing, so I hope one day I’ll add those to my artistic CV. For now, you can definitely expect a continuation of what I’m already doing—maybe in different formats? Maybe through different mediums? I don’t know—time will tell. There are a lot of ideas in this head. It could be that I disappear and work in the background or help promote other promising artists. I’m not sure yet—but if I come back, it’ll definitely be with something big. We just have to wait and see what time brings.
Ann:
How do you see yourself as a creator? Do you plan to pursue art professionally?
Kris:
It’s one of my dreams. I haven’t given up on that thought, and I don’t plan to. I know that if I decide to go all in, it will be a long-term process. That’s why I keep working. I’m trying to exhibit my work and I volunteer at cultural events, which I consider a significant first step forward. I hope everything progresses quickly and that I won’t have to wait until retirement to earn the title of “artist.” I see myself as someone who breaks the mold and loves what they do. Maybe I’m not, and won’t be, an academic model of an artist, but I want to show that street art can be just as good and fascinating.
Ann:
You’ve mentioned street art again—is that one of your favorite art forms? What do you like most about it?
Kris:
I think its form really speaks to me. People look for art in galleries, but it’s also on stairwell walls and block fences. Take Banksy, for example—he doesn’t need an introduction. He turned what was seen as vandalism into something that’s now called art. He’s a fascinating case—his street pieces ended up in exhibitions devoted to his work. Through graffiti, he opened a social dialogue on many important topics. That kind of art is accessible to everyone, and that’s the best part.
You don’t wait in line for an hour at a museum—you just hop on a bus to see the wall where he painted something new. Of course, when it comes to the street, there’s another side of the coin—mindless vulgar scribbles or intentional property damage.
Such behavior harms the entire street artist community.
Ann:
I have to agree with you—that’s a great observation. In the art world, many of us have role models or favorite creators. Do you have any artistic authorities or at least artists whose work inspires you in some way?
Kris:
Probably Banksy, who I mentioned earlier. I feel like nowadays the artist is sometimes more important than their work—or at least they’re seen as equally important. We have social media, but there’s also pressure to build a personal brand. I see accounts of people who make brilliant things, but no one sees them because their personality isn’t present there. But Banksy managed without all that, building on mystery. I also look up to Vexx and Gawx_art—they’re both brilliant, and I highly recommend their YouTube channels. They create interesting work, and thanks to them, I feel motivated to pursue unconventional ideas that mix different forms of art.
I could even say I was inspired by them during my drawing attempts.
Ann:
It’s true—being an artist today means building many foundations, including a personal brand on social media. It’s not always an enjoyable process, but it’s become a requirement for opening doors in the creative world and for growth. Looking at yourself, what do you expect from yourself over the next five years? Do you have a vision?
Kris:
I don’t have expectations—I just hope I don’t give up due to low reach on social media. I also don’t want to take long breaks from creating like I’ve done before. I count on my consistency and the desire to explore new techniques. If I had to name one goal, I’d really love to have an exhibition in a cool place—either in Poland or abroad.
That would be a major milestone, bringing me closer to becoming a professional artist.
Ann:
To wrap things up, I want to ask you one last, short but important question. What’s your favorite colour?
Kris:
Definitely orange. I wore an orange hoodie for half of technical school—it was two sizes too big. I don’t have the hoodie anymore, but the color has stuck with me.
Ann:
Thank you so much for your time. I really enjoyed doing this interview with you. Would you like to add anything else?
Kris:
Thank you as well—for seeing something interesting in my work and deciding to have this conversation. And to those reading: I know this might sound cliché, but don’t be afraid to try and chase your dreams. Not long ago, I thought becoming an artist was unrealistic, and now my works have been shown at five local exhibitions. Maybe that’s not a huge achievement, but I never thought something like that would ever happen. All it took was to try and stay consistent.
Thanks for your attention—I believe in you.
