Art Exhibition at the PLASTPOL Trade Fair – Creativity from the Heart of Industry

door Dr. Magdalena Laabs 29 mei 2024

During the international PLASTPOL trade fair in Kielce, for the first time in the history of the event, such a large and comprehensive art exhibition was presented. It was organized in cooperation with Targi Kielce on the initiative of Dr. Magdalena Laabs – an expert in the plastics processing industry and an active painter.

The exhibition occupied an impressive 24 by 8 meters and featured over 100 paintings and 20 sculptures. Its goal was to show that technology and art do not have to be separate worlds. On the contrary – they can inspire each other. People who work daily with machines, extrusion and engineering often carry within themselves sensitivity, imagination, and a strong creative potential.

The exhibition also had a personal and family dimension – it included works by Magdalena Laabs herself, as well as by her daughter Victoria, her eight-year-old daughter Alexandra, her husband Adam Laabs, and a group of invited guests – friends and artists connected by their passion for painting and sculpture.

Dr Magdalena Laabs (Rolbatch Engineering) & Agnieszka Dąbrowska (Targi Kielce)

Dr. Magdalena Laabs – Between Technology and Art

The originator and co-organizer of the exhibition was Dr. Magdalena Laabs – widely known in the industry for her work in plastics processing and CE compliance, and at the same time an experienced artist with numerous international successes.

Magdalena combines the world of engineering and creativity, proving that technical competence can coexist with artistic sensitivity. Her works, inspired by spirituality, inner transformation and the subtle language of color, have been exhibited in the Antonio Battaglia Gallery in Milan (January 2024), in Paris, twice in Warsaw (during TOP WOMAN Gala and TOP Woman Experience), twice in Świnoujście, and during exhibition PLASTPOL in Kielce.

In December 2023, she won the international painting competition Artista d’Europa in Milan, which opened the door to further exhibitions in Italy and France. Her paintings are part of private collections in Dubai, the USA, Germany, Poland a

In addition, she runs a permanent exhibition of her work in Germany as part of her artistic and educational activity. A special distinction was the opportunity to paint a portrait of Brian Tracy, which now hangs in his home in California – a gesture of appreciation and personal respect.

Eng. Adam Laabs – Between Technology, Humanity and the Future

Among the main artists featured in the exhibition was also engineer Adam Laabs, whose painting transports the viewer into a world of motion, futuristic vision and reflection on the relationship between humans and technology. His paintings depict fast cars, humanoid forms and astronauts, creating a powerful connection between engineering, imagination and emotion.

One of his most discussed works was “Spirit of Speed” – a dynamic portrayal of strength, motion and progress, shown at PLASTPOL in Kielce. Adam gained international recognition, including winning the Artista d’Europa competition in Milan. His works have been exhibited at the prestigious Antonio Battaglia Gallery (January 2024), as well as in Paris, twice in Warsaw, twice in Świnoujście and at PLASTPOL.

One of his paintings was also recognized in the United States, proving that contemporary painting inspired by technology can speak a universal visual language.

Tom Dierick – Sculptures from Plastics That Tell the Story of Material

One of the most original highlights of the exhibition at PLASTPOL in Kielce were sculptures by Tom Dierick – a Belgian artist and industrial manager in the plastics sector.

Tom currently works in a management role at the German company BEGRA, a supplier of PVC granulates, and splits his time between Belgium, Germany and Poland. While his professional life is rooted in industry, he creates unique sculptures from an unusual artistic medium – plastic lumps and remnants formed during production waste or errors.

Each sculpture gives new life to the material, highlighting its textures, colors and irregularities in a fresh, artistic context. Several of his works are now part of the Laabs Gallery collection in Germany. Tom’s art perfectly reflected the theme of the exhibition – showing that people in the industrial world also carry deep creative potential and that even technical materials can become a medium for expression.

Alexandra Laabs – The Youngest Voice of the Exhibition

Eight-year-old Alexandra Laabs, the youngest participant in the exhibition, has been passionate about drawing and painting since early childhood. Her greatest inspiration is cats – both real and imagined. At home, she lives with three feline friends who inspire her daily.

Her colorful, imaginative paintings portray cats in a variety of moods, forms and fairy-tale scenes, capturing smiles and admiration from viewers.

Victoria Laabs – Pop Culture Interpreted with Sensitivity

Victoria Laabs, daughter of Dr. Magdalena Laabs, is a twenty-year-old artist who has been painting since childhood. She continues the family tradition, having inherited her talent from her mother and her grandfather Ryszard, who was also a deeply sensitive painter.

Victoria’s work focuses on portraits of well-known pop culture figures. Her unique style blends freshness and emotional insight, combining youthful energy with a mature artistic voice.

Guest Artists

The exhibition also featured works by invited artists who share a personal connection with Dr. Magdalena Laabs and her family.

Jolanta Kurzela paints trees and leaves, using a warm palette and calm compositions. She is Magdalena’s aunt, and they often discuss art and creativity together.
Anna Beata Kaniecka, a friend of Magdalena, lives in Austria where she runs a Polish school. She creates neurographic artworks filled with symbolic and expressive line work, inviting inner reflection.
Beata Filek creates abstract compositions known for their bold textures and subtle color harmony. Her paintings introduced an element of contemplation and balance into the exhibition. Privately, she is the wife of Wojciech Filek, editor-in-chief of the professional magazine “Tworzywa”.

Check the VIDEO from Art Exhibition during PLASTPOL (Targi Kielce) at TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdhp2Wjp