Of course, any tribute to David Bowie is welcome. But this new one in Sheffield, unveiled breathlessly on Twitter by BBC Radio Sheffield and located on the city’s hip Division Street… does it actually look anything like him? The internet doesn’t think so. Like, it’s clearly modelled after the famous Brixton one inspired by the Aladdin Sane album cover, around which thousands of Bowie fans gathered for an impromptu memorial on the day his death was announced, but it kind of looks like Aladdin Sane’s rubbish cousin, or if Bowie hadn’t quite evolved properly from the prehistoric era.
The finished product. New #DavidBowie mural on Division Street #Sheffield. Looks brilliant doesn't it? #trik09 pic.twitter.com/oVs8CRFiKg
— BBC Radio Sheffield (@BBCSheffield) February 3, 2016
Also, what’s up with his massive neck? Bowie was elfin, waif-like, a paper-skinned spider from Mars and a beatific, thin strip of androgyny. This dude looks like he’s got ‘roid rage. And when did Bowie get a throat tat? Did he go to prison and get a throat tat to prove what a badass he was, so he could strut into the prison yard in his catsuit without getting hassled? He did none of this, readers, and Twitter was quick to take the piss, with one user, Robert Dalton, nailing it: “i appreciate the sentiment but it looks more like ‘Fun House’ Pat Sharp’.”
In fact, the social media site proceeded to have a whole lotta fun with the whole debacle…
https://twitter.com/thenotoriousTMG/status/694834019121381377
"Crack, Superhans?" @BBCSheffield pic.twitter.com/JiyRUKwq6B
— Necro Supernaut XIII (@NecroButcher187) February 3, 2016
@BBCSheffield He looks uncomfortable.
— Richard Cook (@cookywook) February 3, 2016
@BBCSheffield Got this from another angle. pic.twitter.com/DduimE3i9O
— Public Benjamin (@PublicBenjamin) February 3, 2016
Recommended
. @BBCSheffield Yes! I think Sheffield has been crying out for a painting of Vincent from Beauty and the Beast for decades. At last!
— John Rain CBE (@MrKenShabby) February 3, 2016
@BBCSheffield Through this fine (?) mural, I discovered Bowie played for Velez Sarsfield in Argentina in the 80s. pic.twitter.com/VKt0Fh5NIt
— Sebastian Garcia (@SebaHGarcia) February 3, 2016
@BBCSheffield Everything about it is wonderful, except the face
— EvaFeatures ?? #FBPE (@poledour) February 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/GivingItLegs/status/694833353153974272
https://twitter.com/TheGelderdEnd/status/694838756365488132
https://twitter.com/manonabike77/status/694835980168200192
@BBCSheffield For the love of God, somebody quick, whilst nobody's looking… pic.twitter.com/igLq0HoE9m
— Nigel Adie (@NigelAdie) February 3, 2016