New mural at Norblin Factory pays tribute to Wola’s industrial past

A mural titled “Wola Fabr.” has been unveiled on the eastern wall of a historic building at the Norblin Factory in Warsaw’s Wola district. Created by graphic designer and local historian Jarosław Zuzga, the artwork highlights the district’s industrial history through a visual composition of historical logos and trademarks from former factories and workshops that once operated in the area.

Covering 33.5 square metres, the mural is installed on a structure dating back to the 1920s–1930s, which previously served as a measurement and laboratory facility until the Norblin Factory ceased operations in 1981. The graphic elements are arranged within an outline of the modern Wola district, forming a visual map that connects past industrial activity with present-day urban development.

Zuzga, who has documented the district’s history through his blog Okno na Warszawę and his book “Wola. People and Stories,” describes the work as more than a visual homage. He sees it as a narrative about the workers and industries that shaped Wola and a reflection on the evolution of a district still undergoing transformation.

The mural was commissioned as part of the Norblin Factory Museum’s cultural programme and produced by the Warsaw-based studio IDEAMO, known for public art and cultural installations. It is the fourth large-format mural on the premises. Previous works include:
• A mural inspired by Edward Dwurnik’s “Norblin Works” painting, created on the southern wall of the former metallurgical laboratory, in collaboration with the Edward Dwurnik Foundation.
• A piece by Pola Dwurnik on level -1 of the Plater building, referencing historical factory products.
• A mural based on a painting by Tytus Brzozowski, located on level -2, depicting the Norblin Factory and the city in a stylized, architectural form.

The unveiling of “Wola Fabr.” took place under the honorary patronage of Krzysztof Strzałkowski, Mayor of Wola District, who welcomed the initiative as a meaningful contribution to preserving the area’s heritage.

The project aligns with the Norblin Factory Museum’s broader goal of presenting Warsaw’s industrial legacy through preserved machinery, archival materials, and architectural restoration.