ARTIST QUICK AS A FLASH
AN ARTIST who painted over Manchester’s iconic David Bowie mural has reacted to his critics with an unusual response. Graffiti artist Qubek replaced a much-loved portrait of the late pop star on The Outhouse, in Stephenson Square, with an image of Sloth from cult film The Goonies. But the backlash has now persuaded the artist to make some unusual alterations by adding Bowie’s famous make-up flash.
The original painting of David Bowie by Akse, which artist Qubek painted over with his image of Sloth from film The Goonies, centre; He then added an Aladdin Sane-style flash following complaints THE artist who painted over Manchester’s iconic David Bowie mural has reacted to his critics – with a lightning bolt idea.
Graffiti artist Qubek caused a stir when he replaced the portrait of the late pop star on The Outhouse, in Stephenson Square, with an image of Sloth from cult film The Goonies.
The huge portrait of the beloved 80s character was scrawled on the building earlier this week.
It replaced French street artist Akse’s famed image of Bowie – which had become something of a tourist attraction.
When Outhouse bosses decided it was time for a change, only Qubek was brave enough to take on the job.
He has since received hundreds of comments – both positive and negative – about his artwork.
The backlash persuaded Qubek to make some sneaky alterations.
He returned to scribble a lightning bolt across Sloth’s face, in tribute to Bowie’s famous Aladdin Sane album cover.
He said: “Sloth loves David!
“I was going to leave it a few days, but after reading all the comments I decided to go ahead with the lightning bolt. It will appease some people and really annoy other people.” Qubek first completed his latest masterpiece in just under and hourand-a-half in the pouring rain. He said the comments have been mixed, but some people have reacted with real anger. “It’s been a bit ridiculous,” he said. “A lot of people don’t seem to have understood that it’s an evolving space. “I thought about the mural for quite a while, about what would be suitable for that space. In the end I decided a grotesque image would be a good change. Bowie represented everything nice and perfect. He was a great man, a great musician and he was loved. Whereas Sloth is not great to look at.
“We live in a society where image is everything and people don’t like to see ugliness.
“We don’t want to see grotesque images, even though they are all around us.
“That’s one of the main reasons I painted Sloth. It’s arresting. This has proved that people are not comfortable with that imagery.”
“Bowie probably would have loved it. He was all about re-creation and he did so many things that made people react.
“The people who love Bowie will understand why I did it.”