Statue of David Bowie unveiled in Aylesbury

The world’s first statue of David Bowie has been unveiled in Aylesbury, UK. Created by Devon-based sculptor Andrew Sinclair and cast in bronze by Paul O’Boyle, the statue, titled Earthly Messenger, depicts David Bowie in several guises in honour of his many personas.

£115,000 in funds for the statue were raised via a Kickstarter campaign and benefit concert, which took place yesterday (25 March) with the unveiling in Aylesbury Market Square. According to David Stopps, who created the campaign, the town of Aylesbury was chosen for the statue because Bowie performed the world debut of two of his most iconic albums, Hunky Dory and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, at Friars Aylesbury in 1971 and 1972.

“He formed the Spiders from Mars in the tiny Friars Aylesbury dressing room and referenced Aylesbury Market Square in the first line of Five Years from the Ziggy album,” David Stopps says. “This will be the first David Bowie statue in the world and is expected to attract Bowie fans from all over the world for the next 100 years. In so doing it will give a significant boost to the town’s economy.”

Andrew Sinclair is said to have used the mask taken from Bowie’s face during the filming of The Man Who Fell to Earth to help create the statue’s likeness. David Stopps has also launched a petition to rename the town “Aylesbowie” in honour of the musician.

This is the moment when Howard Jones unveiled #BowieStatue! Thank you so much to all of you who have donated! @sculptschool pic.twitter.com/ILQChUMsAm

— Campaign (@BowieStatue) March 25, 2018