The artist
From Saarbrücken to the world – The paper art of Simone Hübner-Schwinn
Text: Saarbrücker Zeitung, 2025
The Saarbrücker Zeitung as a starting point for works of art that touch across borders – that is the special charm of Simone Hübner-Schwinn's sculptures. The Saarbrücken-based artist creates papier-mâché figures that are situated somewhere between fairytales, memories, and pop culture. Her works are not smooth and streamlined – they are quirky, honest, cheeky, and full of character. Just like the artist herself describes it.
Hübner-Schwinn's sculptures invite you to pause. They tell short stories, ask questions—or simply look you straight in the face. Here sits a melancholic Van Gogh with a real sunflower; there, Aladdin, wearing a modern hoodie, encounters his magic lamp. Her figures seem familiar yet surprisingly new. With exaggerated forms, large eyes, and long hands, they evoke daydreams or plays, somewhere between art object, caricature, and spiritual being.
“For me, papier-mâché is the perfect material – light, versatile, vibrant.”
Using paper, wire, paint, and fabric—and above all, a great deal of poise—she forms each figure by hand. Her works are unique pieces that transcend the purely beautiful. Sometimes comical, sometimes touching, sometimes thought-provoking, they invite the viewer to look at childhood, imagination, and humor through adult eyes. Born in 1963 in Saarlouis, Simone Hübner-Schwinn discovered her passion for art at an early age. She began painting and drawing at kindergarten. During her school years, creative talents such as embroidery, crocheting, and weaving were encouraged, and
At her first communion, her godfather gave her her first easel and tempera paints – the start of an artistic journey that continues to this day.
After graduating from high school, Hübner-Schwinn decided to pursue a broad range of studies in classical archaeology, art history, and teaching fine arts, German studies, and Catholic theology. She continued her artistic training with Karl Michaely and Clothilde Freichel-Baltes, as well as with Professors Sigurd Rompza, Karl-Otto Jung, Jo Enzweiler, and Christoph Vester. Alongside her many years of teaching German and art, art always remained an integral part of her life.
Today, Simone Hübner-Schwinn's sculptures can be found not only in Saarbrücken and Saarland, but have long since become known beyond the region. The figures—often fashioned from the pages of the Saarbrücker Zeitung—are now found in many parts of the world. Her works repeatedly attract public attention at exhibitions, such as the recent one at the Kulturbahnhof, initiated by the Saarland Chamber of Crafts .
In addition to her freelance artistic work, Simone Hübner-Schwinn also accepts commissions. Anyone seeking a custom figurine—perhaps a special memento, a favorite character, or a humorous companion for everyday life— can contact the artist directly.