Let us make this Friday even more special by introducing you to Janek Koza, an illustrator and cartoonist from Poland. The artist stands out with his style which can be described as an "ugly drawing" - a trend that is becoming more and more popular on social media. 

Janek, through the prism of irony and humor, reflects on the main events in politics and society, including the refugee crisis, climate change and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In one of his interviews, the artist shared that he gets inspired by ordinary people, situations on the street, in stores, or on the bus. "I try to read and watch as much as I can to stay updated on what’s going on in the world. 95% of my time I spend sitting mindlessly at my desk, scrolling through the news feed, and poking around in my head. I think that it takes a lot of empathy and knowledge to make a good comment on reality."

More info: Instagram | Facebook

#1

The Bizarre But Sincere Comics Of A Polish Artist About Our Society

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Blarrg
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It drives me crazy when the media asks celebrities or representatives of corporations for their opinions on political issues. Of course, the media are only responding to what the public will click on.

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Janek is an illustrator (working for political magazines), animator (shorts and music videos) and cartoonist (author of graphic novels). He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts as a painter, but, according to the artist, he has always been more interested in animation, and then drawings.

#2

The Bizarre But Sincere Comics Of A Polish Artist About Our Society

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DRinLBK
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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We asked Janek about the source of inspiration for his comics. The artist shared that he tries to look at politics from a human perspective. "I try to see politicians as ordinary people, understand their behavior. What is behind their bad, selfish, or simply stupid decisions? I also draw ordinary people with their everyday problems, failed relationships, little dreams and envy. I watch everyone around and of course myself because I'm not better than the others."

#4

The Bizarre But Sincere Comics Of A Polish Artist About Our Society

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Ugh_What_Now
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This actually has nothing to do with taking the lord's name in vain. It no longer amazes me how many so called Christians don't even know their own book. Taking the lord's name in vain means claiming the lord's name when doing unholy things like oh... I don't know, forcing a 10 year old girl to give birth to her rapist's baby and saying it's the lord's will. Claiming the lord's name for your OWN deeds... that's what it means.

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Janek uses the simplest materials - a regular black pen, old markers and used paper, printed on the other side. "For this job, you need good ideas, not expensive equipment."

To the question of what Janek would want other people to take away from his work, the artist answered simply with only one word: empathy.

#6

The Bizarre But Sincere Comics Of A Polish Artist About Our Society

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DRinLBK
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ya never know when it might be on sale again! 🤷🏻‍♀️

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"I am often tired and weary of drawing and politics. I have enough of this, and I'd like to quit. But of course, I don't stop and keep coming up with new ideas. I'm like an old uncle at a party who keeps joking. Even if no one is listening anymore and it just irritates everyone."

Janek revealed to Bored Panda that he is working on a new graphic novel book. "These will be short stories about time. In a way, it will be a sequel to my previous book Bad Dreams (available also in English), about our dreams and expectations. I also draw a comic book for kids about bad emotions. Of course, new drawings about politics and everyday life appear every week."

#11

The Bizarre But Sincere Comics Of A Polish Artist About Our Society

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purrfect stormz
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those we love bear the brunt of our withheld emotions too often😔

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The Bizarre But Sincere Comics Of A Polish Artist About Our Society

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The Bizarre But Sincere Comics Of A Polish Artist About Our Society

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Kaioz
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha! 🤷🏽‍♂️😂

#14

The Bizarre But Sincere Comics Of A Polish Artist About Our Society

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Jody Whitmarsh
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makes about as much sense as a screen door on a submarine

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#17

The Bizarre But Sincere Comics Of A Polish Artist About Our Society

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Evi Grimes
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one should be higher. I remember a time I was relaxing on the beach, watching the ocean with my family. I was enjoying the lack of electronics and ads and all the mess of today. But not to worry! A boat with a massive LED screen flashing ads floated by to obstruct my lovely view. Gods forbid I'm not buying something 24/7.

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#21

The Bizarre But Sincere Comics Of A Polish Artist About Our Society

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DRinLBK
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🤔 he IS working... I'm pretty sure he's just getting encouraged to be pissed off. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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#22

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DRinLBK
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🤣🤣 had something similar happen to me on my wedding night. My husband popped the cork from champagne in our honeymoon suite. It went up, hit the ceiling, came down and hit me right in the top of the foot! Left a HUGE, deep bruise on my foot and a dent in the ceiling! Could've been worse, but still a funny story. 😁

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#25

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Anna Nowak
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For context, our current goverments is advertising against EU and their even slightest control over legislature in Poland. Europe has been trying for years to make us care more about CO2 emission, but we refuse to even try to step away from coal. And their leading argument is that EU is sticking their nose in our inside bussiness

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#26

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Monday
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I certainly wouldn't mind having no-one as a neighbour...my current neighbour's kid love screaming at the top of her lungs at exactly 11:45 every night!

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#27

The Bizarre But Sincere Comics Of A Polish Artist About Our Society

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Ruby
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or get Covid, and you will be infected WHILE dying of boredom. (Speaking from current experience 🙄)

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The Bizarre But Sincere Comics Of A Polish Artist About Our Society

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Note: this post originally had 47 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.