Dad thanks art community for continuing son's project

Noah, who had hydrocephalus, epilepsy and cerebral palsy, went by the nickname Background Bob

Nathan Jones Noah smiling in front of some of his art — Noah, who had hydrocephalus, epilepsy and cerebral palsy, went by the nickname Background Bob

The family of a teenager who died after raising £250,000 for the NHS has thanked the street art community for keeping his project alive.

Noah, who lived in Dedham, Essex, collaborated with over 750 artists worldwide, before he died aged 15 in November.

His dad Nathan said people were now putting stickers of his son's "beautiful, fun-loving, smiley face" around the world.

"It’s heartwarming to see on a daily basis and we are excited to see where he pops up next," he said.

Nathan Jones came up with the idea during lockdown, as a way to keep his son Noah entertained

Nathan Jones Nathan and Noah painting — Nathan Jones came up with the idea during lockdown, as a way to keep his son Noah entertained

"I’d also like to say a big thank you for all the love and support shown to our family during these tough times."

Noah, who had hydrocephalus, epilepsy and cerebral palsy, went by the nickname Background Bob.

He started painting on cardboard to pass the time during the first Covid-19 lockdown while he could not attend school.

Bob's sticker is being taken to various places across the world, including Venice

Nathan Jones Bob's sticker in Venice — Bob's sticker is being taken to various places across the world, including Venice

Mr Jones posted on Instagram asking people to collaborate with his son and street artists came forward from around the world.

The idea was so popular that the art was exhibited several times and the family published several books.

Hundreds of pieces were auctioned for the Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity - in aid of the hospital trust which treated him - across three different projects.

Bob's sticker has also popped up on Brooklyn Bridge in New York

Nathan Jones Bob's sticker on Brooklyn Bridge in New York — Bob's sticker has also popped up on Brooklyn Bridge in New York

Noah's face has so far popped up on stickers, which were produced as part of the project and given away for free, in Buckingham Palace, at football stadiums and gigs and on monuments across the world.

"Noah left a big hole in our family and the community that we built wanted to spread his smiley face across the world.

"It's a really lovely thing for us as parents who miss our child deeply to see his face pop up in all these remarkable places and places that his condition stopped him going to in a real life.

"This a joyous way of continuing his legacy," he added.

Bob's sticker has even made it to the African continent

Nathan Jones Noah's sticker on a sign in Africa — Bob's sticker has even made it to the African continent

Bob popped up at this Limp Bizkit show in Margate

Nathan Jones Sticker of Bob's face at the gig — Bob popped up at this Limp Bizkit show in Margate

The family now plans to travel and see how many stickers they can spot in real life.

Bob’s travels can be followed on Instagram @background_bob or following the hashtags #bemorebob and #everywherewegoyougo.

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Teen artist who raised £250k dies aged 15

Background Bob

Dad thanks art community for continuing son's project

Teen artist who raised £250k dies aged 15

Background Bob

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