Cheltenham artist Andy Dice Davies has paid tribute to his late friend, Maff Baldam, through a new piece of art in the town.
Andy, whose paint festival has seen various Cheltenham buildings decorated with artwork, has explained the very personal reason why he created a picture in an underpass near Waitrose.
The spot, on the Honeybourne Line, now features a colourful image of Maff. The 50-year-old from Cheltenham, who died earlier this month after being taken ill, had been a DJ for Virus Sound System.
So Andy’s artwork shows him next to a stack of speakers, with the word ‘Virus’ in the background and ‘RIP Maff 2020’ to the side.
He said: “I used a photograph from when he worked at a bar and added a bit. It was classic Maff.
“A lot of people knew him. Usually, if a friend of ours pases away, we have a drink and a get-together.
“But now we can’t and only 30 people are allowed at the funeral so it was kind of a nice way to show my respect for him.”
He said the picture had become a focal point and some of Maff’s family and friends had been to see it and had shed some tears.
The image has been praised on social media.
Comments posted on Facebook include one that said it was “awesome street art” and another that said it was “a fantastic tribute to a great bloke”.
Andy said Maff was survived by his partner of 21 years, Vicky Lee and their 12-year-old son, Rudy.
His funeral is due to be held in July, he said.
