A touching tribute from a famous friend of the Bali Nine ringleaders.

Australian artist Ben Quilty has posted a haunting message on Facebook for Indonesian President Joko Widodo just hours before his friends are to be executed.

Myuran Sukumaran and Ben Quilty. Image via Facebook.

The Archibald Prize winner has been an outspoken advocate for mercy since befriending the duo on death row.

Over three years, Quilty visited them in their Indonesian prison and became an artistic mentor and friend to Myuran Sukumaran and a friend to Andrew Chan.

Related:  Rolling coverage: The latest news on the Bali Nine duo.

Posting the message on his Facebook page in both English and Indonesian, Quilty vows to devote his life to fighting against the death penalty.

The pictures Quilty posted with his message. Image via Facebook.

“I know that before the sound of your guns the island will hear the comforting whisper of Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan,” he wrote.

“You may take their freedom and their lives…you will never kill the memory of them.”

See more of Sukumaran’s work:

Myuran Sukumaran paintings

A portrait of Sukumaran's mum.

Myuran Sukumaran paintings

One of the many portraits on display at Myuran Sukumaran's exhibition in Amsterdam

Myuran Sukumaran paintings

Myuran Sukumaran's grandmother.

Myuran Sukumaran paintings

Tania Albers stands in front of her portrait painted by Myuran Sukumaran