A groundbreaking photography exhibition titled "Surrounded by Criminals" by Belgian photographer Nicolas Wieërs is currently on display in Brussels through November 9, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the secretive world of the Vory v Zakone, also known as "thieves in law" from the former Soviet Union. The exhibition presents an extensive collection of black and white photographs documenting this little-known criminal fraternity that once operated throughout the Soviet territories.
The project originated in Moldova, where Wieërs, who is also the founder of the Balkan Trafik festival, spent several years immersing himself in this closed community. Working primarily in the cities of Chișinău and Tiraspol, the photographer and videographer managed to build relationships of trust with these men, gaining unprecedented access to their hermetic world. His patient approach allowed him to document their distinctive tattoos, which serve as living archives of a clandestine culture that is rapidly disappearing.
The exhibition features nearly 140 black and white prints, each accompanied by detailed captions that explain the history and symbolism behind the intricate tattoos worn by these marginalized men. These tattoos function as signs of belonging and hierarchy within the criminal organization, representing a complex visual language that tells the stories of individual members and their place within the brotherhood's structure.
What makes this exhibition particularly unique is its presentation across six different locations throughout Brussels, creating an immersive tour experience. The main collection is housed at the AGORA room at the Bourse on Boulevard Anspach. Additional venues include the NATHALIE AUZEPY Limpératrice studio on Rue des Fabriques, two tattoo parlors – MUE Tattoo Shop on Rue du Marché aux Porcs and Inksane Tattoo Piercing on Rue du Congrès – Le Poste at Place du Jeu de Balle, and the Brussels Tattoo Convention at Tour Taxis.
Each exhibition space has been carefully chosen to highlight different aspects of Wieërs' project. At the NATHALIE AUZEPY Limpératrice studio, visitors can experience a compelling dialogue between two photographic approaches. Wieërs and studio owner Nathalie Auzépy both explore the human body as a canvas for empathy and memory, with their works revealing themes of fragility, dignity, and humanity. The contrast between Auzépy's Parisian subjects and Wieërs' scarred and tattooed subjects creates a powerful commentary on human sensitivity and the search for intimate truth in photography.
The documentary and social dimensions of the project receive special attention at Le Poste, the third-place venue located in former barracks at Place du Jeu de Balle. Meanwhile, the tattoo parlors MUE Tattoo Shop and Inksane Tattoo Piercing provide the perfect context for exploring tattooing as a graphic language, with their artistic approach extending and enhancing the reading of Wieërs' photographs.
The exhibition will conclude with a special presentation at the Brussels Tattoo Convention, taking place from November 7 to 9 at Tour Taxis on Rue Picard. This final venue will showcase a carefully selected collection of approximately thirty portraits, providing a fitting end to the multi-location tour and connecting the historical context of the Vory v Zakone tattoos with contemporary tattoo culture and artistry.
