WON ABC, NEON: Wholetrain 20
- Nov 06, 2026
- Nov 28, 2026
-
Free entry
Information
About the Exhibition
Urban Spree Galerie presents "WHOLETRAIN 20", an exhibition of original artworks from WON ABC and NEON in light of the 20th Anniversary of the graffiti movie WHOLETRAIN from Florian Gaag (2006) and on the occasion of the release of the 4K Remastered version of this praised and award-winner graffiti classic.
The Vernissage will be held at Urban Spree on Friday, November 6th (18:00-22:00), in presence of the 2 writers and the Director.
The movie tells the story of a crew of four graffiti artists—David (MIKE ADLER), Tino (FLORIAN RENNER), Elyas (ELYAS M’BAREK in his first major role), and Achim (JACOB MATSCHENZ)—who have dedicated themselves to the scene with its own hierarchies, values, rules, and codes.
WHOLETRAIN delves deep into the secret world of graffiti culture, serving as both an emotionally gripping drama and a multi-layered portrait of its protagonists, who operate in the shadows.
The writers who painted the graffiti for the movie were originally WON ABC, NEON, CEMNOZ, PURE TFP, CIEL and MONS.
The exhibition at Urban Spree presents retrospective and new works from WON ABC and NEON with substantial and iconic works.
BIO WON ABC:
WON ABC (*1967) is a pioneering German graffiti writer and visual artist based in Munich. He is a foundational figure in the German street art scene, having created his first piece, "Fast," in 1984 after being inspired by the film Wild Style. In 1988, he co-founded the Art Bombing Clan (ABC) with Cowboy 69, one of Germany's earliest graffiti crews. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich, graduating in 1995 with a diploma consisting of his police correspondence from previous graffiti-related legal cases.
WON ABC gained international renown for his complex, figurative "character" paintings that blend zombies, mythology, Asian art, and hip-hop influences. His career spans global guerrilla actions on four continents, including works in Cuba, Mexico, and India, as well as official commissions like a mural for resistance fighter Georg Elser in Munich. He has published two major books, Colour Kamikaze (1999) and Zombie Love (2014).
https://www.instagram.com/won_abc/
BIO NEON:
Alexej "NEON" Tursan was born in 1970 in Italy. Moved to Munich/ Germany in 1974 with his parents.
As a kid he decided to become a Dancer so he got an Education in classic Ballet at the Heinz- Bosl Stiftung from 1978- 90 and in Berlin at the Staatliche Ballettschule 1990- 91.
He got engaged as Dancer/ Soloist in various German Theatres until 1995. At that time he stopped dancing but continued with dance projects until 2002.
He started Graffiti in 1984. It was his second real fascination. For sure it gave him an important balance to the very one sided Dance Education.
One of the most important experiences was his first visit to NYC in 1988. He was one off a lucky kind, because just the second day he met the right people, and did the very right things!
He returned to New York several times!
https://www.instagram.com/neon_stone.age.kid/
Some quotes about the movie:
KRS-ONE (legendärer MC aus der Bronx / NYC; Hip-Hop-Ikone):
„Florian Gaag has an excellent movie out. I am really proud to be part of that project. „Wholetrain“ is the dopest graffiti movie ever. I would put „Wholetrain“ next to the great movies, right up next to „Style Wars“. I thought that „Wholetrain“ really captured Hip Hop’s culture.“
CHARLIE AHEARN (Director of the classic movie Wild Style)
„I saw „Wholetrain“ at S.O.B.’s in New York, It was a great experience watching it. There was a tremendous amount of character development, interesting dialogue and a lot of story in it.
It took real vision to make that world come alive like that. „Wholetrain" is an impressive piece of work . It´s the only Graffiti-Movie that can follow in the footsteps of „Wild Style.“
HENRY CHALFANT (Author and photographer of the graffiti book “SUBWAY ART,” co-producer of the graffiti documentary “STYLE WARS”)
„Wholetrain“ shows the human dimensions of Graffiti-Writing. The social conflicts of the protagonists are fascinating and allow you to take a look at the writers´real lives. Real characters, real problems.
„Wholetrain“ is a very good film that not only reflects writing culture but also leaves room to authentically portray the writers´ social reality.“
KET (Graffiti artist from New York; founder and editor of Stress Magazine, co-founder and curator of the Museum of Graffiti in Miami):
„I loved the movie. I thought that „Wholetrain“ represented the scene the best - ever.
It really captured what writers go through and their struggles; they were humanized, they weren’t caricatures. I appreciate that. I remember that it made me feel that I was there with those guys, living with those guys. It took me back to a time when I was living the way those kids were living. I thought it was very authentic in that sense.“
WHOLETRAIN 20
A Duo Show WON ABC / NEON
06.11.2026 - 28.11.2026
Opens Monday - Saturday 11:00 - 19:00 (Monday 14:00 - 19:00)
Urban Spree Galerie
Revaler Str. 99
10245 Berlin
Info & Catalogue: pascal@urbanspree.com
