A red hat, a guitar and a sea of flowers. A mural featuring Maryla Rodowicz has been unveiled in Opole. The artistic icon of the Polish music scene personally unveiled her large-scale portrait on 14 September 2026. The artwork at 153–159 Chabrów Street was designed by Olka Osadzińska and painted onto the block’s wall by the Opole-based group Murki.
A mural of Maryla amongst flowers
On the side wall of the block of flats, Maryla is depicted with long blonde hair, a wide red hat and a white blouse. She is holding a guitar, and a dense meadow of flowers stretches out around her. The composition is complemented by the artist’s navy-blue autograph. Her illustrative portrait brings to mind folk influences, hippy-style freedom and a penchant for striking stage outfits. This is exactly how Maryla Rodowicz, well known from the stage, looks: colourful, cheerful and a touch of a tomboy. The singer’s floral surroundings also have a local connection. The name of the Chabrów estate is a reminder of the fields of cornflowers that once grew here, and the surrounding area features streets named Maków, Konwalii, Niezapominajek and Jaśminów. The mural therefore fits in well with this neighbourhood.
The artwork, according to Olka Osadzińska
The project was conceived by Olka Osadzińska, who in 2017 designed the cover for Maryla’s album *Ach świecie…*. The artist was captivated by her colours and drawing style from the very beginning, which is why Olka also created a drawing that later found its way onto the wall of a block of flats in Opole. The women collaborated on the creation of the portrait, so Maryla was familiar with the entire concept even before the on-site painting began. In August this year, the local group Murki transferred the design onto the façade. The wall was made available by the Opole Housing Cooperative “Przyszłość”, whilst the paint was donated by PPG Deco Polska. Thanks to the collaboration between the designer and the team, an ordinary housing estate façade was transformed into a huge, floral portrait of a great artist.
The Maryla mural in Opole
During the September ceremony, residents and fans gathered outside the building. Maryla Rodowicz chatted with the audience, posed for photos and sang her songs with those present.
“Cheerful, feisty and with flowers – just the way I like it,” she said of her own image.
At the event, she also mentioned that she had performed at the Opole festival no fewer than 42 times. Her portrait is the seventh instalment in the Musical Murals Route, which has been developing since 2020. This open-air gallery commemorates performers associated with the National Polish Song Festival, bringing festival memories to the walls of the city’s buildings.
Maryla Rodowicz and 60 years of festival history
The legend of Maryla – or, to give her full name, Maria Antonina Rodowicz – began in Opole in 1968. It was then, during the 6th National Festival of Polish Song, that she performed, amongst other songs, ‘Zabierz moje sukienki’ (‘Take My Dresses’), with music by Andrzej Kurylewicz and lyrics by Wanda Warska. This was followed by further performances, hits and awards: first prize for ‘Cyrk nocą’ in 1979, the Journalists’ Award for ‘Niech żyje bal’ in 1985, and the Grand Prix for her lifetime achievement in 1992. In June 2005, the artist unveiled her star on Opole’s Avenue of Stars, and in 2014 she was made an honorary citizen of the city. Three years later, she celebrated the 50th anniversary of her artistic career on the festival stage. The public once again recognised her achievements in 2023, voting her “The Greatest Star of the Opole Festivals” in a jubilee poll.
A mural of Maryla – a portrait of a star who has captivated several generations
Behind these accolades lie hundreds of songs, over 20 Polish-language albums and a voice that is impossible to mistake for any other. ‘Małgośka’, ‘Wielka woda’, ‘Remedium’, ‘Niech żyje bal’ and ‘Łatwopalni’ have been accompanying successive generations of listeners for years. Her collaboration with Agnieszka Osiecka, Seweryn Krajewski, Katarzyna Gaertner and Jacek Mikuła was of immense importance to her repertoire. Equally important is Maryla Rodowicz’s stage imagination – the embroidery, flowers, hats and surprising costumes that are an integral part of her performances. The mural in Opole captures precisely this unflagging energy.
Design: Olka Osadzińska
Execution: MURKI
Painting team: Saletnikk, Patrycja Kostyra, Kamil Kowalski, Robotbot, Paulina Wróblewska, Melania Mazur, Kasia Strzelec
Location: 153–159 Chabrów Street, Chabry housing estate, Opole
See also:Facade | Culture|Murals|City | Opole|Interesting facts
