A groundbreaking photography exhibition titled "Surrounded by Criminals" by Belgian photographer and filmmaker Nicolas Wieërs is currently running through November 9 in Brussels, offering visitors an unprecedented glimpse into the secretive world of the Vory v Zakone, the "thieves-in-law" of the former Soviet Union. The exhibition presents nearly 140 black-and-white photographs that document this ancient criminal fraternity, displayed across six unique venues throughout the Belgian capital.
The project originated in Moldova, where Wieërs, who is also the founder of the Balkan Trafik festival, spent several years immersing himself in the world of this former criminal brotherhood. Working primarily in Chișinău and Tiraspol, he built relationships of trust with these men, gaining exceptional access to a hermetic community that rarely opens its doors to outsiders. The photographer's dedication to understanding their world allowed him to capture intimate portraits that reveal both the humanity and complexity of these marginalized individuals.
Central to the exhibition are the intricate tattoos worn by these men, which serve as living archives carrying the memory of a clandestine world destined to disappear. These tattoos function as signs of belonging and hierarchy within the criminal fraternity, each symbol telling a story of the bearer's history, status, and experiences within the organization. The photographs are accompanied by detailed captions that reveal the stories and symbols carried by these men, providing context for viewers to understand the rich visual language of this underground culture.
The exhibition takes an innovative approach by spreading across six distinctive locations throughout Brussels, creating a unique journey for visitors. The main collection is housed at the AGORA hall of the Bourse on Boulevard Anspach, which serves as the primary venue displaying the majority of Wieërs' 140 photographs. Each location has been carefully chosen to highlight different dimensions of the project and create meaningful connections between the content and the venue.
At the NATHALIE AUZEPY L'Impératrice studio on Rue des Fabriques, Nicolas Wieërs' work is presented alongside that of Nathalie Auzépy, creating a compelling dialogue between two photographic approaches. Both photographers explore the body as a space of empathy and memory through their images, revealing fragility, dignity, and humanity in their subjects. Their works engage in conversation around human sensitivity, contrasting the constrained beauty of Auzépy's Parisian bodies with the marked and tattooed faces of the excluded individuals photographed by Wieërs, with both artists seeking to unveil the intimate truth of their subjects.
The documentary and social aspects of the project receive special emphasis at Le Poste, located at Place du Jeu de Balle 62, which is housed in former barracks and serves as a third space for cultural activities. Meanwhile, the tattoo as a graphic language finds its natural home in two tattoo parlors: MUE Tattoo Shop on Rue du Marché aux Porcs 26 and Inksane Tattoo & Piercing on Rue du Congrès 33. These venues, whose artistic approaches extend the reading of the images, provide an authentic context where visitors can appreciate the artistry and meaning behind the tattooed bodies featured in Wieërs' photographs.
The exhibition will conclude with a special presentation at the Brussels Tattoo Convention at Tour & Taxis on Rue Picard 3, running from November 7-9. This final venue will showcase a curated selection of approximately thirty portraits, bringing the project full circle by presenting these images within the contemporary tattoo community. This closing event represents a bridge between the historical criminal tattoo tradition documented by Wieërs and the modern tattoo culture thriving in Brussels today.
"Surrounded by Criminals" represents more than just a photography exhibition; it serves as an anthropological study of a disappearing subculture and a meditation on marginalization, identity, and the stories our bodies tell. Through his patient and respectful approach, Wieërs has created a visual archive that preserves the memory of the Vory v Zakone while challenging viewers to confront their preconceptions about criminality, punishment, and human dignity.
