When David Bowie died after a battle with cancer on 10th January, just two days after his 69th birthday, the world lost a star. Celebrities and fans alike came together in this time of grief and hundreds of his fans flocked to his birthplace of Brixton, South London to mourn his loss, creating a makeshift shrine where Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust album cover was shot.
“It’s the only place I can be today,” explains Ruth Adam, 54.
In the words of Nick Rhodes (of Duran Duran),
He fed us inspiration, beautifully strange and always unpredictable, yet somehow everything made perfect sense. No other musician was more influential.
People all over the world have paid homage to the legendary musician with their artwork, expressing their love for the bold figure. We have featured some such works, that captured the energy and zeal of Bowie’s life and art, here.
Helen Green represents Bowie’s entire career of looks and alter egos in a single gif. The still are available through Society6.
Patrice Murciano captures the colour and dazzle that Ziggy Stardust brought to the world.
Luis Rodrigues dedicates his ‘Safe Journey, Starman‘ to David Bowie.
Food stylist Jolita Vaitkutė uses her food art skills to make a portrait of Bowie in his classic Aladdin Sane make up.
‘A Blackstar in Heaven‘ by Laura Gomez Bustos is simple yet powerful with its minimalistic impact.
Mokost‘s piece ‘Rebel Rebel Ziggy Stardust‘ is a lovely and sweet tribute to the late spaceman.
Renata‘s ‘Farewell Starman’ is an apt dedication to the icon.
Renata‘s ‘The Stardust Prince‘ combined the beloved story of The Little Prince with Ziggy Stardust in an apt celebration of the legend.
Do Thuong creates a fittingly quirky piece, capturing Bowie’s essence.
Cirrus Pepper‘s Blackstar resonates with the collective grief of everyone whose lives Bowie unknowingly touched.
Nomadiskull‘s Dia de los Muertos-inspired David Bowie hand-painted mask ‘Starman‘ is simultaneously incredible and morbid.
Helen Green relays the complexity that was David Bowie in her portrayal of Blackstar.
Phil Baker‘s ‘The Worst Way to Wake Up‘ is a beautiful rendition of the icon.
But just remember, if you’re feeling sad about the huge gap Bowie has left behind, do as Simon Pegg tweeted: know that the world is over four billion years old and you still managed to exist at the same time as David Bowie.
Thank you, David Bowie, for giving us magic for a lifetime; for being an inspiration, an icon, a guiding star.
