A personal guide by Sketchy Shona, the artist name of Shona Neary.
I am Sketchy Shona, an artist living and working between Berlin, New York City and Philadelphia. This is my personal Berlin travel guide to the places I return to for art, street life, music, coffee, open space and a night out.
Berlin art, street culture and independent rooms
Teufelsberg is where I have painted large-scale murals. I also return to RAW-Gelände for its changing street culture and music, and Klunkerkranich for the rooftop view and the drawings I made there. My Berlin street-art record and DA SWAMP at 48 Stunden Neukölln connect these recommendations to work I have actually made in the city.
90mil is a temporary urban-regeneration project near Jannowitzbrücke with a changing programme of art, workshops and movement. Check the current programme before you go.
Berlin places I return to
- Tempelhofer Feld: the former airport where I go for a long walk and room to breathe.
- Kaffeebar Jacobi: my favourite cemetery café in the Alter St. Jacobi grounds. I go for coffee and have found free Wi-Fi there. Check the current listing.
- Maybachufer: walk beside the canal and pick up a beer from a Späti.
- Kottbusser Tor: I like the whole Kotti area for its food, movement and street-level life.
My Berlin flash sheet
I drew this Berlin tattoo-flash sheet from the street details and objects that keep pulling my eye in Neukölln. Selected designs are open to tattoo enquiries.
Berlin flash sheet by Sketchy Shona (Shona Neary), drawn specifically from Neukölln.
See the Berlin flash sheet and ask about a tattoo or read how I made the Berlin sheet.
THE FLOOR is my private home, studio and residency space, and where Countercult grew from. It is by invitation, not a public walk-in attraction. Opening times and access at other places can change, so check before travelling.
Spend a day in Berlin with me
For an artist-led visit shaped around the city I know, ask me about a private Berlin art day. You can also see the Berlin work and project archive.