Tributes are pouring in for Helch, the prolific graffiti artist whose huge roller-painted murals became familiar sights on motorway bridges, near Windsor Castle and on walls far beyond the UK.
Friends and admirers have remembered Michael Purdy, 34, an artist whose reach stretched across dozens of countries and whose work appeared on city rooftops, public walls and, most recently, in a successful December gallery exhibition attended by collectors.
Among those paying respects on Saturday was veteran club music DJ Doc Scott, who shared a picture of one of Helch’s canvas pieces alongside the simple message: “RIP Helch.”
Frontline, the well-known graffiti magazine and online platform, also honoured the street artist on Instagram, posting a compilation of his vivid pieces and writing: “Just heard sad news of Helch passing away. RIP Helch.”
For years, Helch’s bold graffiti art caught the eye of both commuters and contemporary art fans, turning everyday routes into unexpected showcases of colour and scale.
His graffiti on motorway bridges were regarded by some as entertaining sign posts for their travels home from work or the airport, with pieces seen on the M4, M1 and M25.
But not everyone was a fan, with royal sources previously claiming the late Queen Elizabeth II was upset over 60ft high white letters reading Helch near Windsor Castle.
His tags were even the subject of a sold-out show at BSMT Space in trendy Dalston, east London, where his pieces sold for tens of thousands of pounds.
Michael Purdy, whose pieces appeared everywhere from the edge of Windsor Castle to the nation’s motorway bridges and across the world, has died aged 34
The late Queen was said to be ‘extremely upset’ after 60ft high white letters were daubed on to a railway viaduct near Windsor Castle
Network Rail, which owns the viaduct, removed the graffiti as it was deemed offensive
In one of his final social media posts he shared a photo of his 224-page photo book, titled Lost But Living.
The glossy publication features his work across 12 countries including America and Thailand during the period of 2022-24.
The circumstances around his death have not been disclosed but friends have been left reeling by his sudden passing.
One graffiti artist told the Daily Mail: ‘Helch was at the top of his game, having smashed it for years and funded the entire thing himself.
‘He lived life on his terms and had in many ways what could be described as total freedom. He did not submit to a life of drudgery.
‘He is a legend and will be greatly missed in London and the UK. It is not for me to say any more about his death.’
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Meanwhile Zonk DDS, a notorious graffiti writer in London, shared a tribute online, which read: ‘Iconic British artist gone far too soon. Thoughts are with his family.’
And SMT crew, a nationwide graffiti collective, paid tribute to Helch as ‘a big figure’ within the scene.
Sharing a photo of the artist’s massive vibrant piece on top of a Shoreditch car park, a spokesman wrote online: ‘As a crew we are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Helch.
Friends paid their respects to Mr Purdy, who enjoyed a successful gallery show in December
The Helch tag seen above the Central Line in London
‘A big figure in the London and UK scene. RIP Helch.’
Graffiti artist Lord wrote: ‘Sad news man, Helch was a genuine good brother, had good banter I used to give him stick how long they [his roller pieces] take.
‘One of the best roller writers we ever had.’
Bams, an active graffiti writer across London, posted a photo of Helch’s work at Paddington Station with the message: ‘So sad man’.
Another tribute read: ‘Sad news to hear one of, if not London’s biggest writer when it comes to rollers has passed away. What a shame. Got to give credit where credit is due, your work will live on for the rest of all our times.
‘A London king man, prayers are with your friends and family. RIP Helch.’
Other fans of the artist flooded social media with tributes and photos of Helch’s roller pieces, one with the caption ‘sad news. Good guy. Made refreshing cool moves in the scene.’
Another message read: ‘RIP Helch buddy. Admired your dedication to graffiti and showing it to the man, every time.’
One note from an artist who knew Helch contained the words, ‘Take care of yourselves and loved ones before it’s too late’.
Tributes were even paid as far as New York City, with a compilation of his photos shared online with the message: ‘He was known in London for being a legend.
‘He brought some refreshing graff[iti] to NYC a few years ago and I enjoyed going across all these spots as they appeared.’