French street artist Ememem covers the "wounds of cities" with mosaics
Known for his urban art called the "Art of Healing Cracks," Ememem shared how he began his art and how he designs his works.
- Life
- Published Date: 02:54 | 01 July 2025
- Modified Date: 02:55 | 01 July 2025
Ememem said he has worked on mosaics for over 20 years and started this particular work in 2016, initially doing repair jobs at home.
"Then I started thinking about how to use mosaics in a different way. Later, we began patching sidewalks, known as 'flaking,' in public spaces," said Ememem, explaining that in 2012, he had a workshop in Lyon, France, and began filling sidewalk cracks in front of it with small red tiles.
Ememem noted that years later, he repaired a pothole in front of his workshop with ceramics and realized that the work belonged not just to him but to everyone who passed by the street, feeling as if he had given a gift to the public.
About the cracks he saw in sidewalks, Ememem said, "For me, these cracks are like wounds in the city that need healing and care," calling his works "bandages."
Ememem explained that working spontaneously is difficult; he measures cracks and potholes beforehand and composes the design in his workshop.
After completing the designs, he installs the mosaics late at night and has created sidewalk artworks in Ireland, Norway, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the USA.
Ememem plans to create designs in China by the end of the year and said, "My dream is to make a mosaic on one of the craters on the moon, but I haven't figured out how yet."
His unique approach transforms urban decay into vibrant art, giving neglected city spaces new life and attention.