AROE: From Then On’ – A Retrospective at Helm Gallery Celebrates the Legacy of a Graffiti Icon

‘AROE: From Then On’ – A Retrospective at Helm Gallery Celebrates the Legacy of a Graffiti Icon

Helm Gallery is set to host a unique and emotional exhibition, ‘From Then On,’ marking the first visual retrospective of AROE, one of the UK’s most celebrated graffiti artists. Running from January 31 to March 2, 2025, this powerful showcase offers a glimpse into the creative journey of an artist who has defined the UK graffiti scene for over four decades.

Curated by AROE’s daughter, Eden Maseyk, the exhibition highlights the personal and cultural impact of his work. AROE, whose art has adorned global locations from Colombia to Russia, has long been recognized as a leading name in graffiti and urban art. His journey began in 1983, inspired by the Buffalo Girls video on Top of the Pops, which ignited his passion for hip-hop culture, graffiti, and breaking. His connection to the UK’s vibrant counterculture scene has shaped his artistic vision ever since.

As co-founder of the renowned graffiti collective Heavy Artillery, AROE’s works have ranged from large-scale murals to album artwork for artists like Westside Gunn. But what sets AROE apart is his ability to use graffiti as a vehicle for powerful social commentary, as seen in his project in Syria, where he painted around bullet holes to honor the site’s violent history.

In ‘From Then On,’ Helm Gallery presents an expansive collection of AROE’s work. The exhibition spans his stylistic evolution, from iconic B-boy imagery and references to Grace Jones, to his exploration of more abstract expressions, stripping graffiti down to raw emotion and intent. One of the standout features of the exhibition is a large mural that fragments AROE’s career into a pixelated image, representing his journey through counterculture.

Visitors will have the rare opportunity to explore hundreds of original hand-painted canvases, some reworking his older pieces with a fresh perspective. The exhibition also offers a unique chance for art lovers to purchase one of AROE’s original works for just £100, making his art accessible to a wider audience.

For Eden Maseyk, this exhibition holds a deep personal significance. Having grown up surrounded by her father’s work, she reflects, “There’s something incredibly special about presenting his art in the context of my own gallery… it feels right that I can give him his flowers in such a setting.”

AROE is an international graffiti artist who has been painting since the 1980s and has earned a reputation as a leading name in the UK urban art scene through four decades of work. With roots in the UK hip-hop scene, he has been at the forefront of counterculture since the 1980s. He has created works worldwide, including in Colombia, Mexico, the USA, Egypt, Denmark, Russia, and Malaysia, and founded the world-famous graffiti collective Heavy Artillery. AROE’s art transcends graffiti’s origins, touching on societal issues, identity, and war.

‘From Then On’ is not only a retrospective of AROE’s artistic journey but also a celebration of the cultural significance of graffiti as an art form. It’s an exploration of identity, societal issues, war, and the evolution of an art movement that began in the streets and now fills galleries worldwide.

Don’t miss this unforgettable exhibition at Helm Gallery in Brighton, where AROE’s legacy comes full circle, captured through the eyes of his daughter and curator, Eden Maseyk.

For more on AROE and his work:
Website: www.aroeha.com
Instagram: @aroe_heavyartillery