Street Art London is hosting the iconic Berlin street artist Thierry Noir as he makes his London debut. Noir is a forerunner of the modern street art movement, famous for being the first artist to continuously decorate the Berlin Wall illegally from 1984 to pre-empt its ultimate fall in 1989. Street Art London is joining forces with prominent London street artist Stik to welcome Noir and introduce his art to the walls of Shoreditch and Dalston. The culmination of Street Art London’s programme of events will see Thierry Noir combine forces with Stik in painting a collaborative mural on the prestigious Village Underground Wall. On the 21st of February Noir and Stik will be exploring the continuum of street art history, the old school and the new school, within the broader context of art history at a talk in association with Street Art London and The Courtauld Institute of Art at Somerset House.
Thierry Noir and Stik – ‘In Conversation’ In this public talk, Noir and Stik will explore their own artistic experiences, motivations and influences. The purposes, origins and future direction of street art will also be debated and considered by both artists. The talk will be chaired by Richard Howard-Griffin (Principal of Street Art London) and Hannah Zafiropoulos (Courtauld Institute of Art).
The Courtauld Institute of Art, Somerset House, London, WC2R 0RN. 21 February, 7:30PM, followed by a drinks reception.
Village Underground Wall The Village Underground Wall presented by Street Art London is a prominent 128 square metre wall in the heart of East London’s Shoreditch.The mural will be painted by both artists, forming a very special collaboration as kindred styles and ideologies from distinct generations meet face to face on the same wall.
19-20 February, Holywell Lane, EC2A 3PQ.
Thierry Noir
Thierry Noir was born in 1958 in Lyon, France, and came to Berlin in January 1982. In April 1984, Noir began to paint the Berlin Wall in order to perform one real revolutionary act: to paint the Berlin wall, to transform it, to make it ridiculous, and to help destroy it. When the Wall fell in 1989 his paintings became a symbol of new-found freedom across Germany.
Stik
Stik painted his characteristic figures on London streets illegally for years and was instrumental in raising the British public’s appreciation of street art. Today, he paints murals across the UK, Europe, Asia and America
in association with organisations such as The British Council, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Amnesty International and the Big Issue Foundation.
Street Art London
Street Art London is an independent arts organisation that works with street artists in London and worldwide. It facilitates links between artists, institutions and the public through organising festivals, exhibitions and arranging walls and commissions for artists.
THIERRY NOIR AND STIK, LONDON 2013 – Berlin Wall artist Thierry Noir visits the UK for the first time – Thierry Noir and Stik to paint 128 m/sq mural in the heart of Shoreditch (19-20 Feb) – Both artists to give talk on political significance of street art at The Courtauld Institute of Art (21 Feb)