Thierry Noir FRENCH, b. 1958

In 1984, Thierry Noir cemented his reputation as a forefather of the contemporary street art movement when he became the first artist to covertly paint the Berlin Wall. His colorful, cartoonish characters—always rendered in profile, with one bold eye looking out at the viewer—lent a vibrant, human element to the stark symbol of division. Today, segments of Noir’s Berlin Wall murals belong to art collections around the world. The French-born, Berlin-based artist has expanded his practice to include painting, printmaking, and public art. Noir has exhibited in London (where he often collaborates with local graffiti artist Stik), Los Angeles, and Berlin. He has worked with brands including Hennessey and turntable manufacturer Rega on limited-edition products that are designed in his signature style. After decades, vivacity and simplicity remain Noir’s lucrative calling cards.