A tribute to Necst by Links One, Gun T and Flash

Where it all began

We think it’s fair to say that this is the most legendary street art location in Antwerp. Chances are nobody will contradict us. There used to be a time when Munthof didn’t even have a name. The locals and the people who used to frequent this vacant strip of land ended up calling it Muntplein, after the adjoining Muntstraat. Duck and Zenith – Mr Matthias Schoenaerts! – were the pioneers, who turned this square into the graffiti square of Antwerp in the early nineties. The mural by Links One, Gun T and Flash is a tribute to the square as it used to be.

A tribute to King Necst

But their mural is also a tribute to Necst. The graffiti artist, who has since died, was a member of Animal Farm, one of Antwerp’s most infamous crews. Necst, also called Nekst or Next One, is widely considered the King of Antwerp’s graffiti scene. And kings don’t create aesthetic mural art. They are underground graffiti writers. He is still revered today, just keep an eye out for the many RIP Next tags around the city.

Spray cans and a view of the cathedral

In 2001, the first Antwerp Meeting of Styles, an international street art event, was held in Muntplein. The international street artists were amazed. Whereas graffiti events were usually banned to the grim outposts of the city in their native country, they were invited to work in a location with a view of the Cathedral. As a result, Muntplein soon earned an international reputation as a street art hotspot. While you pass through, don’t forget to stop and talk to the street art aficionados with their giant cameras here. Look carefully and you can still spot part of an old Meeting of Styles mural on one of the walls.

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