Max The Virus is a character created by Marc Craig who reaches out, literally and creatively. He emerged in late 2021, when Marc wanted to turn a shape associated with fear and pandemic exhaustion into something people would be pleased to see. Encouraged by a friend, Marc experimented with AI-generated virus forms, then redrew and refined one image until it became Max. His outstretched arms became his defining feature: reaching across walls, around corners and towards people.

Max’s main home is Leake Street, the legal graffiti tunnel beneath London’s Waterloo Station. Here, he responds to the artwork already on the walls, becoming part of a constantly changing conversation before someone paints over him. The people who make the tunnel what it is have also inspired an ongoing portrait project, celebrating their creativity and keeping the spirit of Leake Street alive.

Beyond the walls, Marc develops Max on the iPad, exploring intricate detail and reimagining iconic artworks such as the Mona Lisa through the character’s visual language. From large murals to digital paintings and portraits, Max connects people, places and ideas through a playful invitation to engage. A virus spreads by contact. So does street art. Discover more at MAXTHEVIRUS.COM and follow @maxthevirus.