We recently opened our Reading Shack where a bespoke collection of interior artwork by Nico Dumartin, better known as Nerone, sits at the heart of the space.
Spanning several murals and painted installations, the work brings colour, energy and a distinctive creative identity to the Shack.
We caught up with Nico to learn more about his background, the inspiration behind the pieces, and the story of how the artwork came to life.
Meet Nerone.
SS: First things first, tell us about yourself
ND: I’m Nerone, a French mural artist and designer based in Marseille, south of France.
SS: What’s your background in art? How did you get started?
ND: My background is graffiti. I started tagging at 11 years old in abandoned places near my home. I loved exploring these empty lost areas. I remember picking up old empty cans for doing my first tags.
Later, I created Le Coktail with a few friends, a creative collective doing music, scenography, painting.
I developed my recognisable style when I moved to London where the cities’ energy pushed me to mix my graffiti roots with nature and light.
SS: How would you describe your artistic style?
ND: I would say my art is electric organic! All about electric neon light mixed with nature. My work celebrates the beauty and fragility of nature.
I’m really about today’s ecological challenges and economic struggles, so I use my art as a platform to spread positive and hopeful messages.
SS: What was your reaction when Shake Shack reached out?
ND: Excited! Of course, I knew Shake Shack for years and tons of ideas came to me. The most difficult part was to choose the best one.
SS: What’s the story behind the artwork at Reading?
ND: There is a lot to say but in short I love creating wallpaper, and William Morris’s botanical patterns have always been a pure inspiration; nature repeating itself into something almost hypnotic.
For this project, I took that same spirit of repetition and reimagined it through the Shake Shack’s universe. It’s rooted in the green identity of Reading, bridging British decorative heritage with fast-casual energy.
SS: How do you hope people feel when they see your art?
ND: As I created a wallpaper, I hope they will feel at home. A comfortable and cosy place.
SS: Food and art – do they go hand in hand?
ND: Oh yes, definitely. It’s the same sensibility. As a French guy I love cooking and after a day of painting outside or in front of my computer, it’s a practice that’s really relaxing and meditative. Both are vital.
SS: Any hobbies outside of art?
ND: I live by the sea and after creating art, my second hobby is swimming.
SS: What’s coming up next for Nerone?
ND: I have a mural in the pipeline in Cardiff, also a potential other project in Bristol this summer.
I also have a show coming in November in Amsterdam, so I have to produce canvases in my studio.
SS: Finally, what’s your favourite Shake Shack burger combination? Any hacks you want to share?
ND: Definitely the double SmokeShack with crinkle-cut fries, I love when it’s simple!
A huge thank you to Nico for bringing this piece to life and helping shape the Reading Shack experience.
Next time you’re in, take a moment to look a little closer!
IG: @shakeshackuk
TikTok: @shakeshackuk
FB: shakeshackuk
Hang out at home and get the classics delivered to your door.
Your next Shake Shack run might be closer than you think.
Back
