Thierry Noir

Thierry Noir, born in 1958 in Lyon, France, moved to Berlin in 1982 and, in 1984, became the first artist to paint the Berlin Wall. His goal was to transform and ridicule the Wall, turning it into a symbol of resistance ahead of its fall in 1989. Using bright colours and simple forms—his “two ideas, three colours” approach—Noir painted quickly to avoid arrest, as working near the Wall was forbidden.

 

Though playful, his murals expressed melancholy and defiance, reflecting the sadness of a divided city. Noir’s distinctive style, seen in *Wings of Desire* (1987) and U2’s *Achtung Baby* cover, made him a key figure in the rise of modern street art. Often compared to Keith Haring, Noir’s simplified, bold “monsters” symbolised the Wall itself—a “killing machine” turned into art.