Elusive graffiti artist Helch has died, and tributes have begun appearing across London’s art scene. BSMT shared the news on Instagram, and Alternative London posted an online tribute that described his work and recent charity donation.
Helch first came to prominence in 2018, when his capital-letter tag appeared across public spots in London and on bridges on the M4, M1 and M25. His work later featured in a sell-out show at BSMT in Dalston, east London, and he was named in a Daily Mail report as Michael Purdy, 34.
BSMT and Alternative London
BSMT said, “Receiving news today of the untimely passing of Helch has left us broken hearted.” It added, “It felt like he stepped into our lives out of the ether.” The same post recalled the American Carwash in Shoreditch as “a triumph of roller graffiti and an East London landmark,” placing Helch’s work inside a scene that had already treated him as a major figure.
Alternative London wrote, “We were so fortunate to witness him at work. We’ve never seen anyone do what he did before and there will never be another like him again.” It also said, “Above all he was a great human being who recently donated a share of his book sales to animal charities.”
M25 and Chalfont Viaduct
Helch’s graffiti was not always welcomed. In October 2018, motorists reacted angrily when an old graffiti sign of “Give Peas A Chance” on the Chalfont Viaduct on the M25 was replaced with “Give Helch A Break”.
That reaction sat alongside the praise that later followed his work, which spanned buildings, concrete motorway bridges, rail viaducts and several rooftops. The contrast between the public anger and the art-world response is now part of the record around his death.
East London tributes
Alternative London sent condolences “to his family and loved ones,” saying, “The streets of East London will never be the same again.” For readers who followed Helch’s work, the immediate change is that one of London graffiti’s most recognisable names is gone, while the reaction to his death continues to spread online.
