Nils Westergard
The lowdown on Nils Westergard
Amsterdam
Nils Westergard is a Belgian-American street artist, stencil artist and filmmaker based in Amsterdam. Known for large-scale murals and intricate hand-cut stencils, he creates figurative works that explore social unrest, personal relationships and the emotional undercurrents of contemporary life. Originally connected to Richmond, Virginia, Westergard has developed a nomadic practice shaped by travel, public space and local communities. His recurring imagery includes expressive portraits and birds of prey, combining technical precision with a strong narrative quality. In Amsterdam, his fascination with the city’s cycling culture led to The Amsterdam Cyclist, a photographic and storytelling project documenting the people who move through the city on two wheels.
"A history of theatrical set painting and graffiti shenanigans led him to adapt his stencil imagery to large-scale murals on the street."