Sticker Art in Germany: The Siegener Zeitung

As a Dutch sticker artist and enthusiast, I was excited to see Siegener Zeitung cover the world of Sticker Art in Germany —especially since my stickers were among the featured in the photos!

The article, titled “Uwe Polzin sammelt Sticker-Kunst auf Instagram – Kleinstadt macht auch mit: #siegenklebt“, explores how urban sticker culture thrives in Germany. It highlights the fleeting nature of stickers, their impact on public spaces, and how they spark reactions ranging from appreciation to controversy.

The Power of Sticker Art

Street stickers are more than just decorations—they serve as expressions of art, politics, and humor. As the article states, they “want brief attention from us—while waiting at a traffic light or passing a street sign.” Some make people smile, others provoke thought, and some simply get ignored.

Uwe Polzin, a media designer from Siegen and a long-time enthusiast of graffiti and typography, documents stickers through his Instagram account @siegenklebt. His work captures the local and temporary nature of sticker culture, ensuring that even after stickers disappear, they remain visible online.

Sticker Art as a Conversation

One fascinating aspect of sticker culture is the dialogue between artists. The article describes how a character by the artist Reth.One sparked a response from Milsch and Friends, showing how stickers interact and evolve in public spaces. This dynamic nature makes sticker art unique—it’s constantly shifting, layering, and responding to its surroundings.

Other notable contributors to the scene include @bunt.und.klebrig, who creates handwritten, poetic stickers, and Bohne & Emil, whose artwork could easily belong in a children’s book.

Unlike most sticker artists who focus on graphics or typography, @bunt.und.klebrig uses handwritten messages to engage the public. Her stickers, often featuring short, optimistic phrases on colorful backgrounds, are meant to uplift and provoke thought. She describes herself as an “Optimistischlerin” (Optimist), specialized in sticker technique. Her work blends art, philosophy, and activism, sharing both original messages and quotes from famous figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Ray Bradbury.