Tilburg Noord United

Tilburg Noord United is a monumental mosaic artwork by Arno Coenen, created in the public space of Tilburg-Noord. The piece consists of 40,000 glass mosaic tiles and was realized as a participatory project together with local residents. Mothership handled the execution and project management, bringing Coenen’s design to life at the heart of the community.

The artwork is inspired by the pride with which American gang members tattoo their neighborhood names onto their bodies. In this case, the text “Tilburg Noord United” was tattooed on the stomach of local resident Arie de Kort by American tattoo artist Mark “Hollywood” Favela. This photograph became the basis for the mosaic design, which now serves as a contemporary city emblem marking the entrance to the neighborhood.

Tilburg-Noord, a neighborhood known for its rich cultural diversity, gains a powerful symbol of unity and resilience through this artwork. Coenen’s distinctive visual language — merging street culture, religion, and popular media — makes the piece both recognizable and contemporary. Tilburg Noord United demonstrates how art can foster connection and pride, even in a community often associated with social challenges.