In recent years, street art has established itself as one of the cultural languages best able to interpret the present, transforming urban spaces into places of expression, dialogue, and participation. Within this context comes Urban Giants, the festival that each year brings Trezzano sul Naviglio to life with artistic interventions of strong visual and symbolic impact, involving artists from a variety of international backgrounds. The festival is supported by several local sponsors, including Maxi Sport, CAP Holding, Caparol, and Creaction, with the contribution of the Municipality of Trezzano sul Naviglio and the patronage of Regione Lombardia.

The 2026 edition, scheduled from June 12 to 14, continues along this path, reaffirming its focus on contemporary artistic practices and on the social value of art in public space. Murals, installations, and performances thus become tools for collective storytelling, capable of engaging in dialogue with the local area and the communities that inhabit it.

This year’s official poster will be created by Nemo Lka, a freelance artist active since 2004 and based in Vallekas, Madrid. Over the course of his career, he has taken part in numerous tattoo, muralism, and graffiti events in Spain, across several European countries, and in Costa Rica, developing a personal and recognizable visual language. His current research, increasingly oriented toward large-scale works, stands out for its ability to move across different styles and concepts while maintaining strong expressive coherence and a distinctive personal signature.

While waiting to unveil the poster, we met with Nemo Lka to explore his artistic journey and the vision that will guide his contribution to the 2026 edition of Urban Giants.

Hi Nemo Lea, how have your experiences and background influenced your style and creative vision?

Good question. I’m currently in a transition period, working on simplifying effects to make them more efficient to execute, but without losing that fluid style I like to achieve. There are always challenges!

What has been your biggest challenge as an artist?

I never thought I would dedicate myself fully to art to earn a living, but today the biggest challenge I think I’m overcoming is staying on the same path after 20 years, without losing the enthusiasm and enjoyment for it, as well as continuing to paint graffiti and expanding my techniques, styles, and tools

How did you become part of the Urban Giants 2026 project?

This is my third year in a row attending the event. The first time was thanks to some of my colleagues from the Grow Up crew, some of whom had already attended Urban Giants before. Both the participants and the organizers always made us feel at home, so being part of the project this year makes me very happy.

What inspired the concept of the manifesto?

The idea was to depict a giant beast, incorporating various elements of graffiti art, as it made its way through the city, guided by a small character inspired by and dressed in traditional Italian peasant clothing. It involved research and experimenting with shapes and colors. An enriching process and a result I’m very pleased with

Did you incorporate elements that reflect your culture or personal experience into the manifesto?

That’s a good question too. Besides the elements mentioned for use in graffiti practice… guiding the beast reflects a bit of the struggle with oneself to achieve goals and objectives without straying from the established path, even if sometimes we choose longer or more complicated routes. Nobody said it had to be easy.

In your opinion, how can art tell stories or address social and personal issues?

Art is one of the best ways to convey both. I believe that through emotions we can best connect with other people and their conflicts, needs, and concerns. Art fulfills all the necessary requirements to achieve this.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would you choose and why?

An easy question… Toast and Poseidon. In my early days within the culture, they solidified, wall after wall, as one of my influences and motivations to continue honing my skills in it.

What advice would you give to a young artist looking to follow a path similar to yours?

If a young artist asked me for advice, I would tell them that the most important thing for me is to find a path where the process is always fun and where they never have to give up being themselves. What’s meant to be will be. Perseverance and passion.