Monumental decorations designed by Władysław Kijno (1921-2012), scattered over many kilometres, adorn more than a dozen facades and interiors of public and private buildings throughout France. Created since the 1960s, the mosaics, graffiti and murals provide a glimpse into the imaginarium of the Polish-French artist.

The largest group of Władysław Kijno's well-known monumental works consists of mosaics, which he designed mainly for educational institutions and housing estates. In his works, he used the repertoire of colours used by the founder of Neoplasticism, Piet Mondrian, which included black, white, red, yellow and blue. Kijno enjoyed collaborating with various mosaicists, including Lugi Guardigli and artists from the Mazzioli atelier, designing mainly abstract, non-geometric compositions. His mural work was close to more free-form painterly canvases, in which he was keen to draw on representatives of Surrealism or gestural art. A number of works were ephemeral and have not survived to the present day.

Selected surviving works

• Mosaics on the façade of the Gymnasium Jules-Ladoumègue (formerly the Gymnasium Buchet), Juvisy-sur-Orge, 1967, created by Atelier Mazzioli, partially preserved
• Mosaics in Collège Louise-Michel at 23 rue de l'Orée du Rouvray in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, 1972, in collaboration with Luigi Guardigli
• Art installations in the park of the Collège Olivier de Serres at 20 Avenue Olivier de Serres in Viry-Châtillon, 1971
• Mural in the Vitry-sur-Seine Town Hall at Avenue Youri Gagarine 2 in Vitry-sur-Seine
• Facade of the Léon Cheymol Gymnasium at 16 rue Jacques Cœur in Savigny-sur-Orge, 1975
• Mosaics in the Armand Rousseau public nursery school (École maternelle publique) at 13 avenue Armand Rousseau in Paris, 1976
• Mosaics on the housing estate at Avenue de la Commune de Paris 6 in Vitry-sur-Orge
• Graffiti on the interior of the Lycée des Métiers Henri Senes at Bd Fernand Darchicourt 553 in Hénin-Beaumont, 1984