If graffiti was born out of a need for recognition—to write one’s name, claim territory, affirm existence in public space—the exhibition UNREADABLE proposes a radical break from this origin.
Unreadable, is a groundbreaking exhibition conceived in complete secrecy by Niels "Shoe" Meulman and Bando, two legendary figures of the 1980s graffiti movement. Kept under wraps until now, this project marks a pivotal moment in the history of hip-hop culture, challenging the boundary between writing (the original term for graffiti in the U.S.) and abstraction.
Unreadable also marks the long-awaited return of Bando, the pioneer credited with introducing American graffiti to France in 1982, in his first major exhibition in years. A true icon of the scene, his influence has shaped multiple generations of artists, and his absence has only reinforced his mythical status. Now, he returns with renewed energy and unseen works that once again disrupt established codes.
AN EXHIBITION BORN FROM IN-DEPTH RESEARCH INTO THE ROOTS OF EUROPEAN HIP-HOP
Unreadable is the result of extensive research into the origins of hip-hop in Europe, a study undertaken by Shoe and Bando to explore the evolution of graffiti—from its early New York forms to its adaptation and transformation across the European continent. This process of reinterpretation has defined a visual language that transcends lettering, moving toward an abstraction that redefines the boundaries of an art form historically rooted in the streets.
ABSTRACTION AS THE ULTIMATE TRANSGRESSION
If graffiti was originally born out of the need to sign, claim space, and affirm existence, Unreadable offers a radical reinterpretation of this impulse. By playing with illegibility and deconstructing the letter into pure gesture, the artists in this exhibition push beyond the limits of traditional graffiti. This is not a rejection of their heritage but rather a reinvention—where calligraphy dissolves into a vibrant and instinctive abstraction.
Shoe and Bando, alongside a handpicked circle of artists, invite us to experience graffiti not as a language, but as a sensation—a raw visual impact that transcends the boundaries of readability.
AN EXHIBITION INITIATED BY TWO LEGENDS OF GRAFFITI
This project was personally initiated by Shoe and Bando, who selected artists whose work resonates with this innovative approach. What they all share is a desire to push graffiti beyond simple lettering, transforming it into a visual language of emotion, rhythm, and pure energy.
Unreadable is a unique experience, an artistic manifesto where some of the most influential figures in contemporary urban art redefine the boundaries of an art form that has never stopped evolving since its underground origins.
A LANDMARK EVENT FOR URBAN ART
With Unreadable, Shoe and Bando are orchestrating more than an exhibition—they are opening a new chapter in the history of abstraction and writing. This encounter between the legacy of writing and the avant-garde of pictorial abstraction challenges conventional notions of what art can be today.
For lovers of urban art, hip-hop history enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a raw and immersive visual experience, Unreadable is an unmissable event. A secretly prepared exhibition, months in the making, bringing together some of the most influential figures in contemporary visual culture, this show is set to leave its mark on the evolution of this movement.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
If there are two artists who have defined the identity of European graffiti, Niels "Shoe" Meulman and Bando are at the forefront.
Niels "Shoe" Meulman, born in the Netherlands in 1967, is a true pioneer of European graffiti. In the 1980s, he was among the first to import and adapt the aesthetics of New York graffiti in Europe while developing his own distinct style. He is best known for pioneering Calligraffiti, a unique fusion of traditional calligraphy and the raw energy of graffiti. His work has influenced generations of artists and continues to redefine the relationship between text and abstraction.
Bando, born in France in 1965, is widely recognized as the figure who introduced American graffiti to France. Directly inspired by the New York scene, he pioneered a new style and structured France’s first generation of graffiti writers, laying the foundations for a movement that would permanently shape the history of urban art in Europe. A key figure in the 1980s hip-hop movement, his influence extends far beyond the streets: he established a radical yet refined approach to graffiti, making him an undeniable reference in the field. His return today is a historic moment.
