poDarki
In the pages that follow, you will meet the poDarki - figures created by the Polish visual artist Dariusz Szmajda‑Geck. Their name blends the Polish word ‘podarunek’ (gift) with his shortened first name, Darek, which is why in English they can be understood as “little gifts from Darek.”
For more than thirty years, Dariusz has been consistently developing his own artistic language. He is recognized both in Poland and abroad for his distinctive artistic voice. His works have been presented at numerous international exhibitions, and his paintings are part of private collections in Switzerland, the United States, Austria, Korea, and other countries.
Together with his wife, Anna, he is the co‑creator of the bARDzo brand - a wordplay combining the Polish bardzo (“very”) with Dariusz’s way of seeing the world - ARD is his personal rendering of the word “art,” shaped by his experience of dyslexia.
bARDzo is a space in Wroclaw, Poland, created for all those who want to explore and experience art up close. The idea was born from a desire to share good energy with people. It all began with Dariusz’s paintings - his work was so unique that they transformed their apartment into a creative, welcoming space where art and everyday life meet.
When we met with Darek and Anna and began talking, we felt such strong synergy that we let ourselves be completely carried by the creative process. For me, writing is what making art is for Dariusz — a way of sharing our inner world with others.
For each of the seven chapters, Dariusz created the poDarki, and I gave them their names as I wrote the seven stories. The poDarki are not only gifts from Darek; they are also reminders of the life stories that matter most to me. More importantly, I hope they remind you that being yourself is the most important thing.
We are curious about what you will discover along the way, and we hope you will enjoy this journey with us.
Book cover design & artwork in the graphics:
© Dariusz Szmajda‑Geck. Used with permission.
Some people change the way we speak, the way we see the world, and the way we understand our own story.
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