From 19 September to 18 October 2026, Beyond Graffiti presents contemporary positions around the art form of graffiti – with a show at Künstlerhaus Heilbronn, public murals throughout the city, and a range of workshops and art education programmes.
An interdisciplinary exhibition project by Künstlerhaus Heilbronn e.V. and CULTURE MOVE Kulturförderung Heilbronn gGmbH.
Beyond Graffiti – More Than an Exhibition
From September to October 2026, Beyond Graffiti presents positions by artists whose work relates directly or indirectly to the cultural phenomenon of graffiti. The exhibition features representatives of the post-graffiti movement as well as painting, photography, illustration, and design. A show in the Sheddachsaal of Künstlerhaus Heilbronn, in the “Zigarre,” portrays international and national artists and movements through original works, photographs, installations, and video pieces.
A total of 7 murals by renowned artists are being created in public space, including Dutch artist ZEDZ and Cologne illustrator GIZEM ERDEM, as well as a participatory memorial mural for the victims of the NSU murders at the crime scene on Theresienwiese. The exhibition in the house is open for a month and is accompanied by various art education activities, workshops, and collaborations. It will also be open during the Long Night of Culture. The murals will be shown on guided tours during the same period and will remain in place after the exhibition ends – forming the foundation for a future Heilbronn Mural Ride.
Also planned around the exhibition: a mural workshop with young people, programmes for the scene, the live podcast “Walls don’t lie,” and the political panel discussion “Unsafe Spaces: Anti-emancipatory Ideologies in Rap and Graffiti” – and much more.
Works and Impressions
The Team Behind Beyond Graffiti
As initiator of Beyond Graffiti, Neckarsulm-based artist and illustrator Natalis Lorenz handles organisation, exhibition coordination, and locations. Natalis has been active at Künstlerhaus HN since 2013 and has served as the association’s first chairman since 2025. He runs a print workshop and, as CEO of CULTURE MOVE, works on art and cultural initiatives in the region.
Artist and graphic designer Leo Volland, an exile Heilbronner, lives and works in Berlin and is a regular presence in Heilbronn. He is responsible for curation, artist coordination, and the project’s visual communication. Volland has known Heilbronn since the early 1990s, when he was part of the graffiti culture emerging there at the time.
Richard Rau is responsible for sponsoring and fundraising. As a long-standing writer, he organises free wall space for the local scene and is well connected in Heilbronn. Richard has been part of Künstlerhaus HN since 2022.
Mark Straeck focuses on cultural education and art mediation. A freelance artist based in Berlin and Potsdam, he engages with the phenomenon of graffiti both aesthetically and conceptually.
Dates and Events
BEYOND GRAFFITI – Neue Bilder / Group Exhibition Opening, 19 Sept, 3 PM
Sat 19 September, exhibition opening at 3 PM in the courtyard of the Zigarre / Group exhibition in the Sheddachsaal of the Zigarre / Open Walls from 11 AM / Barbecue from 5–7 PM (bring your own food) / Blackbook exhibition in Galerie “eben” / Concious HiFi (reggae/dub soundsystem) on the decks
Lineup: ZEDZ, EROSIE, MINA, GIZEM ERDEM, BLAZEJ RUSIN, EVOL, BENJAKON, EMMETT EDELSTEIN, DAVID LUEPSCHEN, STUDIO VIERKANT, MARC C. WOEHR, MARVIN DAUMÜLLER, CREAM, POMESONE, LEO VOLLAND
Support: contributions from historical and contemporary blackbooks, writers from the local scene at the Open Walls
Exhibition period: 19 September through 18 October 2026. / Opening hours: every Fri/Sat/Sun from 4–6 PM and during the various programme events outside regular opening hours
Artist Matinee | Sunday Brunch Talk, 20 Sept, 11 AM
Open talk round about the exhibition “Beyond Graffiti” in the Sheddachsaal of the Zigarre from 11 AM. DJ Peter Rock (hip hop), exhibitions open 11 AM–6 PM.
Mural Rides on 26 Sept / 3 Oct / 17 Oct, 3 PM
We meet together at Paulinenstraße 16 to view the newly created BEYOND GRAFFITI murals throughout the city. Departure at 3 PM, travelling by scooter, bike, skates, etc. The last mural is in the courtyard of the Zigarre, after which the indoor exhibition can be visited.
Panel Discussion for the “Long Night of Democracy,” 2 Oct, 5 PM
“Unsafe Spaces: Anti-emancipatory Ideologies in Rap and Graffiti” for the “Long Night of Democracy.” An open discussion on discrimination in hip hop with Furkan Yüksel, Antonia Held, and Kurt Tallert aka Retrogott. Moderated by Dr. Mira Anneli Naß.
Klangvorhang – Retrogott & Hulk Hodn, 2 Oct
Retrogott & Hulk Hodn bring BEYOND GRAFFITI and Klangvorhang together once again for a proper hip hop night in Heilbronn. Starts 9 PM, tickets via klangvorhang.de or at the door.
Sat 10 October / “Walls Don’t Lie” Live Podcast, 5 PM
Live podcast “Walls don’t lie”: join our graffiti podcast with various guests for the “Long Night of Culture.” DJ Brad Pitch (hip hop/jazz) from 7 PM, exhibitions open 4 PM–10 PM.
Memorial Mural for the Victims of the NSU Murders, 29 Oct, 5 PM
As part of a workshop, students from Heilbronn developed the visual concept for a memorial mural – a commemorative image in public space, realised together with artist Natalis Lorenz. We warmly invite you to the unveiling of the memorial mural on Thursday, 29 October, at 5 PM at Theresienwiese. Opening remarks by Mayor Harry Mergel.
More information on the project on Instagram at @beyondgraffiti.hn
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