Photo by : Carl Thériault
Born in Rome, Italy from Polish parents and raised in Quebec, Canada, Maria-Rosa Szychowska quickly learned to draw and paint. She studied fine arts, to then graduate in Graphic Design at the University of Quebec in Outaouais. Her passion for muralism started during one of her voyages when she painted her first mural in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in Spain. This was followed by a few years of travels and artistic projects overseas. In 2017 she undertook a personal project called
12-12-12. In that 12 months project she aimed to paint 12 murals in 12 non-profit organisations of 12 latin american countries. Her project evolved, and she ended painting more than 30 murals in Mexico, El Salvador, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Brazil. During this journey she also dedicated some time to offer graffiti workshops to kids from local communities.
Her artwork is internationally recognized and can be described as visual poetry.
She aims to showcase the beauty and fragility of the marine fauna and flora, in the hope of inspiring the viewer to learn more about it and to take better care of it.
Among her clients are the Desjardins Bank, the Canadian Consulate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the City of Gatineau, the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (INGUAT), as well as many more private clients in different countries around the world.
She is currently based in Sydney, Australia.
AWARDS
2020
Artist of the year award in the Outaouais region, granted by the CALQ (Conseil des arts et lettres du Québec), Canada
2019
First place in the expert category of the graffiti contest of the City of Gatineau, Canada
Public’s choice during the graffiti contest of the City of Gatineau, Canada
2017
Honorary diploma and plaque from the City of Puerto Barrios for artistic contribution during the creation of wall art piece
in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala
2016
Ambassador of the 7th edition of Corrid’art, Aylmer, Canada
Third place in the advanced category of the graffiti contest of the City of Gatineau, Canada
Honorary diploma from the Government of San Salvador with the Ilwit Collective during the project
of cultural exchange between Quebec and El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
Diploma of Recognition from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador as a worthy representative of
rapprochement between cultures through the arts with the Ilwit Collective, San Salvador, El Salvador
2015
Second place in the beginner category of the graffiti contest of the City of Gatineau, Canada
2014
First place for the painting contest of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
2011
Mention honorable for the final Baccalaureate project at the University of Quebec in Outaouais, Gatineau, Canada