Urban art in France: meet Tarek, graffiti pioneer and host on Nohô
from Nohô
On Thursday 23 October 2025 at 14:53
Meeting with Tarek, graffiti pioneer and host on Nohô
Urban art in France has been built on decades of free expression, curiosity, and passion. Among its iconic figures, Tarek occupies a special place. A graffiti artist since his teens, author of the very first book on French graffiti, comic book writer, painter, and editor-in-chief, he explores creativity in all its forms. Meet a complete and deeply human artist, for whom art remains above all a means of dialogue with the world.
Who is Tarek?
From his beginnings in graffiti at age 14 to the publication of his first book
I started very young, at 14 years old, with graffiti. I had always wanted to write and create, and at 20, I published my first art book: Paris Tonkar.
At that time, there were no books in French about graffiti; it was uncharted territory. This project reinforced my desire to make it my profession.
Since then, I’ve taken on many projects: I’m a comic book author and writer with nearly 80 albums published since 2000. At the same time, I’m also a painter, illustrator, and editor-in-chief of the urban art magazine Paris Tonkar.
Where does Tarek find his roots in urban art?
Yes, I now live in Brittany, in Rennes, but I was born in Paris, where it all began. It was in the capital that I discovered graffiti, at a time when the movement was just emerging in France. Paris was my first testing ground, where I learned to observe, understand the street, and leave my mark.
How did his passion for graffiti begin?
From his first walls in Paris to his inspirations in London
It’s a bit like Obélix, I fell into it when I was very young. When I was growing up, I lived near the Porte de Brancion, and I used to see graffiti on the walls in the neighborhood. Later, during a trip to London, I discovered the fully painted subways: it was a revelation. At the time, I already loved to draw, so I started to reproduce what I saw without really understanding it.
At first, it wasn’t an artistic endeavor, just a desire to have fun and express myself in a different way.
Why does Tarek refuse to limit himself to just one medium?
I don’t limit myself to a single medium. As a result, my work can be discovered through:
- my art books,
- my comic books,
- my drawings and paintings,
- and sometimes on large walls, visible around the world.
These murals are often ephemeral, but you can find them in Berlin, New York, Paris, Lyon, and Brittany.
They extend my desire to combine creation, freedom, and interaction with the public.
Which work is Tarek most proud of?
I would say it’s the one that’s yet to come. Yes, I’m proud of my career and what I’ve achieved, but I still have this desire to evolve, to push the boundaries. You see, I’m not looking to rest on my laurels, even though Paris Tonkar remains an important milestone. It’s future projects that inspire me and drive me to keep going.
Pourquoi la rencontre avec le public grâce à Nohô est-elle essentielle pour lui ?
Personally, meeting the public is what I love. It’s an opportunity that we visual artists have, a bit like musicians or actors. It allows me to see the people who discover my work, who buy my books, and I can interact with them directly.
What’s more, the discussions often go beyond technique: they focus on worldview, curiosity, and openness that art inspires. During book signings, I prefer to draw rather than simply sign. Seeing a drawing come to life before their eyes is a magical moment, a suspended moment where gesture becomes emotion.
In my eyes, drawing remains one of the purest and most magical forms of expression: you start with nothing, and in a few strokes, you create something that speaks to everyone.
Key points to remember
A pioneer of graffiti and a key figure in urban art in France, Tarek has never stopped exploring. Through comics, painting, writing, and teaching, he embodies a free and open vision of creativity. His career reminds us that art is, above all, a universal language, a bridge between worlds and perspectives. So, are you ready to discover urban art with Tarek thanks to Nohô, the platform for enthusiasts?
“If you are also passionate like Tarek and want to share your knowledge with people who are curious to learn more: sign up quickly and create your ad for free on Nohô.”
from Nohô
On Thursday 23 October 2025 at 14:53
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