New York artist Timothy Goodman has transformed the façade of a&o Köln Neumarkt with an 800-square-metre mural, People Love People, his first public artwork in Germany and one of Cologne’s newest artistic landmarks.
Unveiled this week, the mural spans two exterior walls of the hostel on Mauritiuswall near Neumarkt. Completed over three days, it combines Goodman’s signature sweeping lines, bold typography and playful storytelling with local Cologne references and Kölsch-inspired wordplay, all centred on a single message: People Love People.
“The reason I make art is to connect with other human beings. When it comes to public art, the first question we ask is: who walks past here every day? This wall speaks Kölsch, but it’s also understandable to anyone arriving from somewhere else. It doesn’t need an explanation, and that was exactly the goal.”
Timothy Goodman, Artist
Working without a template, Goodman painted the piece freehand, armed with a list of chosen words, exterior paint and a cherry picker, and climbing to heights of up to 20 metres to complete it.
He is relaxed about the occasional typo that emerges along the way. As the artwork took shape, local references evolved in real time, with “Veddel” becoming “Veedel” and “Klaff” becoming “Klaaf”.
“My work is intuitive and flexible. I see words as outlines, so mistakes happen naturally.”
Timothy Goodman, Artist
Based in New York, Goodman has created more than 250 murals worldwide and has collaborated with brands including Apple, Nike, Tiffany & Co. and The New York Times, with work that moves between commercial, cultural and personal projects.
“I’ve always been interested in breaking down the boundaries between art, design and life. One moment I’m drawing on a children’s basketball court in Brooklyn, the next I’m designing clothing for Uniqlo, then painting a refuse truck in New York City, or creating work inspired by personal experiences. Whether commercial, cultural or personal, they’re all part of who I am.”
Timothy Goodman, Artist
The commission was facilitated by curator Tanja Heuchele, who worked closely with the hostel brand to bring Goodman’s vision to Cologne.
“When it comes to art in public spaces, the starting point is always the people who experience it every day. This mural reflects Cologne’s local character while remaining accessible to travellers from around the world. That balance was central to the concept.”
Tanja Heuchele, Curator
For guests, the mural has quickly become part of the stay. Jacqueline Rieger, General Manager of a&o‘s three Cologne hostels, says it is already a talking point among guests and passers-by.
“We’ve become the hostel with the giant mural. People stop, take photos and talk about it. You can spot it from a long way away, and it has brought a real sense of energy to the neighbourhood.”
Jacqueline Rieger, General Manager, a&o Hostels Cologne
Oliver Winter, Founder and CEO of a&o Hostels, believes the collaboration signals the start of further artistic partnerships across the brand.
“The connection between a&o and art is nothing new. Projects like this allow us to give something back to the local community while celebrating local culture and traditions through a fresh, contemporary lens.”
Oliver Winter, Founder and CEO, a&o Hostels
Founded by Winter in 2000, a&o operates 46 hostels with around 31,300 beds in 32 cities across 10 European countries, with two more properties set to open. Its guests range from backpackers, solo travellers and families to school groups, associations and a growing number of business travellers, and in 2025 the group acquired the Docklands Riverside Hotel for its first London location.
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