When the Berlin Wall stood as the cold divide of the East-West Cold War, a young French artist picked up his brush to leave bold colors and minimal lines on this concrete wall that separated the world. Forty years later, this once-unknown Graffiti ArtistThierry Noir has become an internationally renowned artist, and his works—those iconic side profiles and vibrant colors—have transcended the Berlin Wall to grace the global art scene.
This summer, Phillips will host the auction Thierry Nour: Rush Hour (Thierry Noir: Rush Hour) simultaneously in Hong Kong and Tokyo, marking the largest solo exhibition in Asia to date for this iconic artist known for his work on the Berlin Wall.
Freedom of Expression on the Berlin Wall
Unleashing Thierry Noir’s Artistic Revolution
Born in Lyon, France, in 1958, Thierry Noir arrived in West Berlin at the age of 23 with just two small suitcases and a one-way train ticket. Destiny placed him in a residence right by the Berlin Wall, where he could gaze every day at the East German soldiers patrolling the area. In 1984, he became the first artist to paint on the Berlin Wall, transforming the gray structure, once covered in anti-American slogans and racial slurs, into a vibrant art corridor full of color.
He added warmth to the cold walls of the Cold War with playful, vibrant colors, turning the Berlin Wall into a unique sight. He believed that art shouldn’t be confined to galleries but should be visible on the streets, so he began painting on the wall. Given the perilous political environment at the time, with East German soldiers potentially crossing the border to arrest him at any moment, Thierry Noir developed a rapid creative method for Two Ideas, Three Colours so that he could swiftly escape if danger arose.
His artistic inspiration is diverse, spanning from Picasso and Miró to Basquiat and Keith Haring. Musicians like David Bowie—especially during the era set against the backdrop of the Berlin Wall—have also had a profound influence on him. Thierry Noir painted approximately 5 to 6 kilometers of works on the Berlin Wall, which ultimately became a landmark, even attracting the now-famous Keith Haring to pay homage. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall, some of Thierry Noir’s works were incorporated into museums, and he began receiving invitations to create murals worldwide.
Dual City Resonance
From rough sketches of the 1980s to large-scale murals in 2025
The Thierry Nour: Rush Hour exhibition adopts an innovative dual-city model, showcasing over 40 years of the artist’s creative essence across two major East Asian art hubs. The Hong Kong venue (as seen in the image collection above) focuses on the dialogue between Thierry Noir’s early works and contemporary creations, uniquely juxtaposing iconic miniature heads from the 1980s with large-scale paintings specially created for this exhibition, revealing the evolution of his signature visual language.
The Tokyo exhibition space (see the gallery below) may be smaller, but it creates an immersive experience through mural installations that stretch from floor to ceiling, reflecting Tokyo’s rapid development as a modern metropolis and its relentless vibrancy. Both exhibitions intentionally juxtapose Thierry Noir’s experimental works from the early 1980s, characterized by a rough style, with his vibrant and lively creations today, forming a visual dialogue that transcends time.
For example, 《尖峰時刻 speaks of the intense feelings of the moment, relating to the ever-changing state of life,” explains Thierry Noir, This feeling resonates with the urgency I experienced while painting on the Berlin Wall. Forty years later, that same energy is still present, just transformed in its form..
For the audience in Hong Kong, the highlight to look forward to is undoubtedly the live painting session on July 18th (from 5 PM to 7 PM), where Thierry Noir himself will share insights into his creative inspiration and daily painting process, showcasing his unique artistic style in front of the audience.
For Hong Kong audiences who are passionate about street art, graffiti culture, and contemporary art history, this is a rare opportunity to experience firsthand how an artist who has witnessed and participated in pivotal moments of modern history uses color and lines to shake the world.
Thierry Nour: Rush Hour (Thierry Noir: Rush Hour) Exhibition
Date: July 9 – 31, 2025
Location: Hong Kong Phillips Auction House | 8 West Kowloon Cultural District, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Building G/F
Tokyo Roppongi Phillips Auction House | 4th Floor, Piramide Building, 6-6-9 Roppongi, Tokyo
Time: Hong Kong | Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm (Closed on weekends)
Tokyo | Monday to Friday 11am – 6pm (Closed on weekends)
Thierry Noir Hong Kong Panel Discussion and Live Painting: July 18 (Friday) | 5-7pm
