An illicit tribute to graffiti writers has been vandalized, just days after going up. The lino-print portraits of IZ THE WIZ, TIE ONE and SACE have been mutilated, their heads lopped off and lacerated. Street artist Noh J. Coley plans to recreate his paper piece, which now illustrates why dead graffiti artists are rarely memorialized in anything but paint.

Photo by Noh J. Coley

After a series of tributes to deceased graffiti writers, street artist Noh J. Coley created a group tribute, reprinting his linoleum-cut portraits of IZ THE WIZ, TIE ONE and SACE. His “Sprayed N Stone” piecedepicts the trio of graffiti writers breaking through Heaven’s pearly gates, located in Queens.

Photo by Noh J. Coley

Photo by Noh J. Coley

The tributes to graffiti pioneer IZ THE WHIZ are popping up all over. From walls in the Bronx, murals in Manhattan and rollers in Queens, to pieces in London and other cities around the world. But what could be more fitting than honoring the legendary vandal by defacing a New York City subway car? Although the MTA’s official policy is to pull any trains with significant paint on the exterior, this IZ outline was spotted on a R train that was still in service.

Photo from HYB via WhatYouWrite

Yesterday saw the completion of Os Gêmeos mural on the corner of Houston Street and Bowery. Despite the “toy that scribbled in a tiny corner” of the painting, the mural was cleaned up and finished less than ten days after the earlier Keith Haring tribute was whitewashed. Once again, street art documentarian Luna Park was out early this morning to catch a flick of the completed piece. Also, see photos taken by DeathFromBelow of the artists twins relaxing in the road and closeups of the mural that includes subtle tributes to SACE and IZ THE WIZ after the jump.

Top photo by Luna Park

Graffiti writers from throughout Germany and beyond converged in Halle an der Saale, 60 miles south of Berlin, to compete in the Write4Gold graffiti battle. With the recent death of Michael Jackson, the theme of “Rest in Peace” drew spraypaint tributes, including one of the ghostly looking pop star with IZ THE WIZ, and renditions of the pop star’s troubled life. On Saturday, the final competition will be held in Leipzig, where the winning team will take home nearly 700 cans of Molotow spraypaint.

One of the walls, a tribute to IZ THE WIZ, painted at the weekend gathering around the Hall of Fame at 106th Street and Park Ave in East Harlem.

Photo by Dani Reyes Mozeson

Graffiti writing pioneer IZ THE WIZ (Michael Martin) died last night from heart failure. The legendary vandal, president of The Master Blasters crew, has been described as the “longest reigning all-city king in NYC history” for his prolific work on several subway lines during the 70s and 80s. IZ was one of the main characters profiled in graffiti cult classic, Style Wars (9:38 mark) and is widely regarded as an influential figure in the movement. He was also a great guy and one of the humblest writers I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, so here’s a toast in honor of IZ THE WIZ: To a graffiti writer whose name will never fade.

Photo via Zomboider