Welcome to our inaugural interview on our weblog, where we embark on an artistic journey through the streets of Cologne, Germany. Some time ago, we stumbled upon the captivating creations of a streetartist, leaving an indelible impression. Recently we had the privilege to get some very interesting answers from this very talented artist, who has been appending an ever-changing gallery of expressive portraits on Colognes city walls, using the mesmerizing technique of paste-up.

In the dynamic realm of street art, paste-up stands as a unique and enchanting medium. It involves crafting intricate artworks on paper and then adhering them to public surfaces using a mixture of adhesive and creativity. The transient nature of paste-up art allows it to become a dialogue with the environment, morphing and evolving as it interacts with the elements and the passage of time.

Armed with nothing more than paper, glue, and an unwavering passion for self-expression, our interview guest has mastered the intricate art of paste-up. Through her thought-provoking, ephemeral creations, she transcends the boundaries of traditional art, breathing life into the urban landscape.

In this interview, we'll delve into the world of street art, exploring the inspirations, motivations, and challenges faced by this talented artist. Join us as we peel back the layers of her creativity and unveil the stories hidden beneath the layers of paper plastered on Cologne's walls. Her expressive portraits of women are a testament to the power of art to provoke emotion, ignite conversation, and challenge perceptions.

Get ready to be captivated by the artistry of our very first featured guest, Sasa Bungebi!

1.    How did you first get started as a street artist, and what inspired you to pursue this form of art?

“Street art in all its diversity has appealed to me for as long as I can remember. And a few months ago I had the idea why not try it out for myself. How did I come up with it? Honestly, I have no idea, the idea suddenly came to me.”

2.    Can you describe your creative process, from conceptualizing an idea to bringing it to life on the streets? What tools and techniques do you typically use in your street art projects?

“The creative process is quite intuitive. It starts when I feel like doing a new portrait. The rest then develops without me giving it much thought. I mix different techniques, such as pencil and brush, and put them together digitally. This has the advantage that if I want to change something, I can work very finely without, for example, the eraser smearing everything.”

3.    Paste-ups are often delicate and susceptible to weather and vandalism. How do you feel about the temporary nature of your art, and do you have any memorable or maybe funny stories of how your work has been received or transformed by the urban enviroment?

“I like the temporary character of paste-ups, it somehow makes them alive and there is always room for something new. However, I find the wanton destruction very unfortunate, especially for the person who takes pleasure in destroying. My artworks themselves are not affected by this, because I can always make new prints and find new places.”

4.        We perceive the urban space as a public gallery, but permission and legality can be complex issues for street artists.  How do you navigate the challanges of obtaining permission or dealing with legal issues when pasting your art in the streets of Cologne?

“There are places where it is quite clear that paste-ups are welcome, and otherwise it is quite clear that you are taking a risk.”

5.    Streetart sometimes carries hidden or thought provoking messages. Are there particular themes or messages you aim to convey through your very expressive portraits of woman and how do you hope your art impacts the people who encounter it?

“Thank you very much for the compliment. Yes, that’s right, so far I have portrayed more women than men. My portraits are about showing human emotions, in the gaze, facial expressions and body language. Despite all the cultural and visual differences that fortunately exist among us humans, which are a great enrichment and make our lives colourful, I think it’s great how universally we express our emotions, so that we can understand each other even without words. So if someone looks at one of my portraits and is touched by it, as someone said the other day, it’s a direct look into his soul, then I think it’s great if I’ve created something that gives someone else a nice moment.”

Thank you so much for giving a deeper inside to your artwork. We look forward to spot many more of your amazing paste-ups!