1982
Dwarf graffiti on the walls of cities throughout Poland
during Marshall Law

One of the tactics used by the New Culture Movement was the deployment of street art during the [repressive] period of Marshall Law. To reassert control of the authorities, the military arrested many members of our opposition, with the remainder going into hiding [forced into seclusion].   Nights were restricted with a curfew, the gazette and other presses were infiltrated, and severe limits were placed prohibiting citizen mobility.  Society attempted to oppose. Underground printing presses published underground press, resistance messages scribbled on walls in public places persistently expressed simmering hostilities with slogans such as „Solidarity is Fighting” „Long Live Solidarity,” and Oppose the Junta”.

Authorities tried to repress these slogans, and cover them with paint.  These 'spots' were popping up everywhere.  It is precisely on these spots that Major Fydrych started to paint elves.  Dwarf graffiti was a colorful alternative to the empty gray spots typified the dismal times under Marshall Law.  This paint tactic advanced the image of the New Culture Movement considerably.  The walls of many urban cities were covered in elf graffiti throughout Poland.  The use of this form of political resistance was entirely unprecedented.  Major described this type of painting as tactical or dialectical art.

Gallery