U&LC: Upper and Lower Case
T.KID170 / SHOE / BANDO
New York, NY — Studio6 Gallery proudly presents U&LC: Upper and Lower Case, an international exhibition celebrating the enduring power of letterform through the work of three pioneering figures in graffiti history: T.KID170 (New York), SHOE (Amsterdam), and BANDO (Paris). Bringing together three artists whose influence spans continents and generations, the exhibition explores the alphabet as graffiti’s original language and its lasting impact on contemporary art, typography, and visual culture.
Located on New York City’s Lower East Side, Studio6 Gallery is not your traditional art gallery—it is the creative spirit of the neighborhood, where art is experienced, not just observed. Dedicated to contemporary urban culture, Studio6 brings together artists, collectors, and the community through exhibitions, artist talks, book launches, performances, and cultural programming. Studio6 believes discovering and collecting art should be every bit as inspiring as the work itself.
All three artists belong to a generation for whom letters were never just a name, but a discipline. Their work is rooted in graffiti’s original language: form, rhythm, movement, balance, style, and the constant refinement of the alphabet. Across more than forty years, their paths have crossed through trains, photographs, black books, friendships, and a shared devotion to letters.
The title U&LC stands for Upper and Lower Case and refers to the influential typographic journal published in New York from the 1970s onward. The reference is deliberate. Like the magazine, the exhibition looks at letters not as decoration, but as a field of endless variation. In the hands of T.KID170, SHOE, and BANDO, the alphabet becomes structure, code, visual attitude, and lifelong practice.
For U&LC, each artist presents new work centered on the letter. Although their backgrounds, cities, and visual languages differ, they are united by a shared belief that the letter remains the foundation of graffiti. T.KID170’s unmistakable New York letterforms, SHOE’s calligraphic and typographic approach, and BANDO’s refined European style come together in a conversation that bridges continents, generations, and traditions.
The exhibition coincides with the release of Shoe’s Black Book: Graffiti in the 1980s by Niels Shoe Meulman published by Ruyzdael Publishing. Opening SHOE’s personal black book archive from the 1980s, the publication offers a rare glimpse into the early development of one of graffiti’s most influential artists, whose career would later bridge graffiti, calligraphy, and typography.
A book presentation, signing, and moderated conversation with SHOE are planned for Saturday, August 1, placing the publication in dialogue with the exhibition and highlighting the decades-long creative connections between T.KID170, SHOE, and BANDO.
More than a historic reunion, U&LC reflects Studio6 Gallery’s commitment to creating meaningful connections through art. By bringing together three internationally respected artists whose work continues to shape visual culture today, Studio6 invites audiences to experience the letter not simply as language, but as one of the most enduring forms of artistic expression—and to join a community where art sparks conversation, collaboration, and culture.