Graffiti artist Helch, known for some of London's most famous outdoor murals, has died. The guerrilla artist, whose real name is unknown, gained a reputation for painting giant block words on buildings, concrete motorway bridges, rail viaducts and rooftops.
Rise to prominence
Helch first came to prominence in 2018 by painting his tag 'Helch' in capital letters across public spots in London and on bridges on the M4, M1 and M25. The tag sometimes appeared in stylised fonts or different colours, and occasionally as the simple letter 'H'.
His antics did not always please the public. In October 2018, some motorists reacted with anger when an old graffiti sign reading 'Give Peas A Chance' on the Chalfont Viaduct on the M25 was replaced with 'Give Helch A Break'.
Art world tributes
Across the art world, Helch's nocturnal forays led to him being dubbed "a world class artist" who "embodied everything we love about graffiti".
In an online tribute, Alternative London posted: "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.
"Above all he was a great human being who recently donated a share of his book sales to animal charities. Sending all our love and condolences to his family and loved ones. The streets of East London will never be the same again."
Gallery's farewell
News of Helch's death was shared on Instagram by BSMT space, an urban art gallery in Dalston, East London. The gallery wrote: "Receiving news today of the untimely passing of Helch has left us broken hearted. It felt like he stepped into our lives out of the ether.
"Prompted by a moment of revelation standing outside of the American Carwash in Shoreditch - a triumph of roller graffiti and an East London landmark - I was so drawn to the enigma and mystery of the word I had to find out more.
"It took six months to get him to agree to meet in person, and in 2022 we released his first print which sold out within the hour.
"A stranger to the gallery world Helch was a true creature of the night, it's where he found his vocation and the gallery walls were not always what it was about for him. We often had to recalibrate what this meant as we worked together.
"Over the past year his work progressed exponentially, he was coming into his own as an artist. A true perfectionist - he wouldn't present anything that wasn't to his standard and it was an honour to witness.
"An urban landscape without an H in it seems unfathomable. A life unlike any other, he was compelled to leave his mark on this world. There will never be another like him. Rest well H - your rollers have spoken their truth."
