MEET
Thó Simões
Thó Simões (b. 1973, Malanje, Angola) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Luanda, whose work merges ancestral Angolan symbolism with the bold language of contemporary urban art. A graduate of the National Institute for Artistic and Cultural Training (INFAC), Simões is celebrated as one of Angola’s foremost graffiti pioneers.
From an early age, Thó expressed a passion for street art, declaring his future in graffiti long before it became his artistic signature. His murals — most notably the Leba Murals — have become iconic visual landmarks across Luanda and other regions of Angola, transforming public spaces into vibrant canvases of identity, resistance, and inspiration.
Simões has exhibited extensively both in Angola and internationally, with solo and group shows in Portugal, Brazil, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Highlights include appearances at ARCO Lisboa, Latitude Festival Salvador, Foto Festival Schiedam, and Luxembourg Art Fair, as well as recurring participation in Luanda's renowned Fuckin’ Globo series.
While his artistic output spans disciplines, Thó Simões maintains a deep commitment to street intervention, believing in the power of public art to awaken consciousness and spark transformation. Whether on walls or in galleries, his work is a powerful exploration of Afro-urban identity, social critique, and visual storytelling.
Thó continues to influence a new generation of African street artists, cementing his legacy as a cultural force and visual innovator in Angola’s contemporary art scene.
