Nuno Viegas, also known by his artistic pseudonym METIS, is the Portuguese street artist behind the hooded faces, often hidden behind a balaclava, that can be seen on walls all over the world. Born in 1985 in Faro and raised in Quarteira, Viegas began his artistic career in 1999, later founding the art collective Polychromia Crew, a group dedicated to promoting creativity and collaboration between street artists. His works stand in stark contrast to the cruder and sometimes chaotic world of traditional street art. In fact, Viegas presents a cleaner and more peaceful interpretation of urban culture, transforming it into a more refined and serene art form, while retaining its rebellious spirit. His Instagram bio reads: THIS IS NOT GRAFFITI.

The story of Nuno Viegas

After completing his studies in Visual Arts at the University of the Algarve, Nuno Viegas sought to expand his horizons. In 2014, he moved to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, where he discovered a new artistic identity that would shape his future work. It was here that he began to develop a painting technique that was deeply rooted in his origins as a graffiti artist, but which expressed a more refined and reflective aesthetic. This evolution of his style was largely influenced by his experience during an internship with renowned artist Tymon de Laat, an opportunity that allowed him to refine his art and explore new dimensions of visual expression.

Viegas’ breakthrough into the broader street art scene came in 2016, when he collaborated with Street Art Today in Amsterdam. Over the years, he has collaborated with several major names in the art world, including Yasha Young Projects, Graffiti Prints, Thinkspace Gallery and Underdogs Gallery. Through these collaborations, Viegas’ work has expanded on walls and galleries around the world, cementing his place as a key figure in contemporary urban art.

Courtesy Nuno Viegas