The bodybuilding world is in mourning following the sudden death of a famed spray-painter, muscleman, and father-to-four known as MeatAXE.
Melbourne artist Mark Taylor, 50, was driving his five-year-old son to a birthday party on Saturday evening when he suffered a medical episode.
Witnesses saw Mr Taylor slumped inside his car and called emergency services.
His wife Renée was leading a retreat three hours away and drove through the night to reach her husband and their young son. The couple had celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary just days earlier.
Despite the efforts of paramedics, Mr Taylor died before his wife could arrive.
‘It is with heavy hearts that we reach out to the community to share the tragic news of the sudden passing of Mark Taylor… leaving his wife, Renée and the four children in shock and devastation,’ a statement from the family read.
‘His loss has left an irreplaceable void in their lives, and they are now facing an unimaginable reality without him.’
Mr Taylor’s death has sent shockwaves through the international bodybuilding and arts communities.
MeatAxe was a competitive bodybuilder for a number of years and has been an avid graffiti artist since he was a teenager.
His hyper-realistic works feature in some of Australia’s biggest gyms.
Family friend Siobhan Duivenvoorden said Mr Taylor combined his love of sports and art through his work.
‘He was a passionate bodybuilder and used his artistry to amplify the messages and careers of other athletes,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘He used his passion for good. He has so many amazing connections where everyone would speak highly of him.’
His artistry saw Mr Taylor paint murals in Malta, draw portraits in the United States and complete dozens of commissioners for clients.
‘Mark was an incredibly loving caring and supportive brother, son, father, husband – especially father and husband,’ Ms Duivenvoorden said.
‘He was the kind of guy who would help anyone out. Him and Renée had such an incredible love, everyone just said he was obsessed with her… he would send her off on holiday to Bali; send her off to get massages; he showered her in poetry.’
Diamond Creek Basketball Club, where Mr Taylor coached a basketball team, lead a series of tributes.
‘Diamond Creek Basketball Club extends its deepest condolences to the Taylor family during this heartbreaking time,’ the club wrote in a post online.
‘We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Mark Taylor… Mark was a beloved member of our community, and his loss is felt by many.’
Powerhouse Gym South Morang shared a picture of their MeatAxe mural.
‘Very sad news to wake up to today. The falling of someone so talented, a family man and such a laugh to have around, you will be forever missed,’ they wrote.
Photographer Cory Freeman said the giant loss still hadn’t quite sunk in.
‘Another mind-blowingly incredible artist, amazing dad, loving husband and just an all round beautiful soul has been lost. Your creativity and humbling personality will be sorely missed around the world brother,’ he wrote on social media.
‘I will miss our laughs and heart to heart chats and most importantly the support you always gave me, ever since I first picked up a camera you have always spontaneously checked in with words of encouragement.
‘I was always in awe watching you work, translating and upscaling a terrible-quality picture you had on a mobile phone into a 20ft masterpiece on the side of a building.’
A GoFundMe page for Mr Taylor’s family has so far raised over $40,000.
His wife plans to take over the successful family supplement business Axe Laboratories until she finds someone else to fill the role.
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