In the vibrant world of street art, one name that stands out is Flowa, the French artist renowned for
their captivating sticker art creations. We had the privilege of sitting down with Flowa to delve into their artistic journey, the meaning behind their pseudonym, and the colorful world of sticker art.
How did your art pseudonym "Flowa" come about, and what's the meaning or inspiration behind it?
"When I was studying at the university, I was doodling small flowers in my books, and it all started from there. I wanted a short name for the flowers, and that's how the name 'Flowa' came to my mind."
You mentioned that sticker art often operates in a legal gray area. What's your perspective
on this situation, and how do you manage your art in relation to the law?
"I do both stickers and graffiti/tagging. I'm pretty sure I'll never get fined for putting up stickers in the city, but I sure will for tagging or spraying. In my mind, stickers are allowed, and graffiti is not, but yeah, I still do both."
Your stickers often feature hand-drawn colorful flowers. What do these flowers represent in your art, and why did you choose this symbol?
"The flower character is central in my art. Lots of people ask me if it has a meaning, but it doesn't really. It's more of a practical decision to keep this character because when repeated, it can have the same impact as graffiti letters in people's minds. I usually use bold lines for the flower so you can recognize it easily from far away. Also, it's very simple to draw/paint (for me)."
You mentioned that the sticker art movement emerged from the graffiti bombing scene. How does sticker art differ from traditional street art, and how would you describe it?
"To me, stickers can be street art or graffiti depending on what's on it. It's really important for me to separate street art and graffiti. If you see graffiti letters or tags on a sticker, it belongs to graffiti. If it's a character or any other colored thing, it will be street art. Then there's also the political sticker and stuff, but it's completely different."
You've collaborated with artists from all over the world. What has been your experience in interacting with this global community of street artists, and what have you learned from these cultural exchanges?
"Collaborations with other artists are something that I really enjoy. It's a good way to make new friends and see your art in new places. There are some collabs I'm very proud of, for
example, the ones with Chris RWK because he's one of my favorite sticker artists, and I always wanted to collab with him. I was so happy when it happened. Now, my character is in some NY areas, and I've never ever been there."
What prompted you to experiment with chalk art in addition to stickers? What challenges and satisfactions does this new form of artistic expression bring?
"I try to vary the materials I use in my art. Using chalk is very fun; it's also more challenging, very different from using a marker, for example. If you find the right spot, a chalk piece can last for years. Also, it's completely legal, and if someone gets upset with your chalk piece, they can clean it off very easily."
How do you manage being both a student and a street artist simultaneously? What are the
challenges of balancing your studies with your passion for art?
"I'm not studying anymore; I'm now working at a library. My passion for graffiti, street art, and art in general is very easy to combine with my job."
You mentioned that one of your goals is to travel the world and distribute your stickers everywhere. Could you share some of your most significant travel and art-spreading experiences?
"I live in France, and I've traveled a lot but not far, only in Europe. I always put up stickers during my trips. I love seeing that they're still there when I come back years later. I try to connect with graffiti writers or street artists during my trips. I love getting pictures of my stickers in cities where I've been too. I see
how they fade away, get buffed... Also, I give a lot of stickers to my friends who travel; when they get a picture of my sticker up during their trip, it's the best gift!"
Temporality is a distinctive feature of street art. How do you cope with the fact that your artworks, which require time and effort to create, often exist only for a brief period?
"It's in the rules of this game; you gotta accept it. As I said, it's very interesting how the stickers, tags, graffiti pieces age with time. I got stickers removed after a day, and some others last for years, and I love it that way."
Lastly, what would you like the audience to know or understand better about your art and your vision as an artist?
"I do art for myself and don't take it too seriously. I'm very happy to collab and trade stickers."
The film "stickermovie" is a celebration of sticker art and involves some of the biggest names in the scene. How do you feel about this opportunity to bring sticker art to the big screen, and what are your expectations for the film? Do you think it could have a significant impact on the perception and appreciation of sticker art?
"I'm so happy that I could participate in the making of this movie. I'm very excited about the result, and I'm sure it will bring sticker art to a new audience. I hope it will be a great film both for the sticker community and the people who know little about it."
In the world of street art, Flowa is a breath of fresh air, bringing colorful flowers and creative stickers to city streets, captivating both the seasoned art enthusiast and the curious passerby. With a laid-back attitude and a deep appreciation for the transient nature of street art, Flowa's art reminds us to stop and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us, even if it's fleeting like the petals of a flower.
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