Niels Shoe Meulman is a street artist who has made a name for himself with his gestural paintings that combine elements of graffiti and calligraphy. He is credited with starting the Calligraffiti movement, which focuses on the idea that “a word is an image and writing is painting.”

Born in Amsterdam, Shoe was heavily influenced by the graffiti scene in New York in the 1980s, where he worked alongside artists such as Dondi White, Rammellzee, and Keith Haring. In addition to his graffiti roots, Meulman was also influenced by Abstract Expressionism, which he used to create a unique style that blended street attitude with fine art.

Meulman is known for his experimentation with traditional mediums like paint-on-canvas, as well as his willingness to explore new territory in his art, such as conceptual installations and poetry. His dedication to pushing the boundaries of Urban Contemporary art has helped him become one of the most respected artists in the field.