From 2002 to 2004 I dealt with the Cologne garbage disposal. I was inspired by a poster campaign with the slogan "The nicest removal you can get" in the entire Cologne city area.

I was irritated by the cheerful garbage men and asked myself whether the people depicted really liked to do their work. When I let them pose in front of my camera, they proudly and confidently met me. The result is a series of paintings reminiscent of August Sanders' photographs of workers.