Artist defends 'unfinished' O'Sullivan mural
BBC Sport
BBC Sport
Original Source
A Sheffield artist has defended his mural of snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan after viral criticism, insisting the work remains unfinished. Chris Ashmore says he has completed only two of five weeks assigned to the project, and dismisses negative comparisons to zombies or Michael Jackson as unfair.
A Sheffield street artist has defended his mural of snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan after the design received criticism - saying that the project is "unfinished".
Chris Ashmore was commissioned to produce the artwork featuring seven-time world champion O'Sullivan for the back wall of the Spot On Snooker Club on Langsett Road.
Although many residents said they liked the mural, others described it as "zombie-like", "shocking" and O'Sullivan's face as "skeletal".
Ashmore said he was surprised by the viral response online, but confirmed that he had only completed two weeks out of the five assigned to the job, and "touch-ups" were still needed.
The local artist said part of the problem was that he had been working from a scaffolding platform which obstructed his view, meaning he didn't get the "full perspective".
"I usually use a scissor lift, where you can stand back and see things as a whole, but I couldn't use it as the land is too uneven," he explained.
"When the scaffolding came down, I came away and boom - it's gone viral.
"I saw people saying it looks like Michael Jackson or a zombie. I've got thick skin, I'll be OK, but it didn't feel fair."
People living near the snooker and pool club had mixed feelings about the mural.
Gillian Jones said she liked it and it "brightened her day".
Glen Bridock said he was "a fan of the Rocket" and thought the design looked "brilliant".
Frank Short conceded that "the artwork is ok but the eyes are all wrong. It looks like he's taken something".
Shaun Spalding described the art as "shocking"
"His eyes are all wrong, his teeth are wrong, it just don't look like Ronnie. It looks like somebody who's got a skeletal face."
Ashmore, who has completed numerous murals for businesses, said he had always intended to hire a cherry picker to finish the job, but would not be pressured into "rushing" it.
"It's not finished, there's bits of skin tone to do and I'll finish it off as and when I can.
"I'm not just going to rush it in three days because people have complained on social media. I want to do it properly in my own time."
Chris Ashmore was commissioned to produce the artwork featuring seven-time world champion O'Sullivan for the back wall of the Spot On Snooker Club on Langsett Road.
Although many residents said they liked the mural, others described it as "zombie-like", "shocking" and O'Sullivan's face as "skeletal".
Ashmore said he was surprised by the viral response online, but confirmed that he had only completed two weeks out of the five assigned to the job, and "touch-ups" were still needed.
The local artist said part of the problem was that he had been working from a scaffolding platform which obstructed his view, meaning he didn't get the "full perspective".
"I usually use a scissor lift, where you can stand back and see things as a whole, but I couldn't use it as the land is too uneven," he explained.
"When the scaffolding came down, I came away and boom - it's gone viral.
"I saw people saying it looks like Michael Jackson or a zombie. I've got thick skin, I'll be OK, but it didn't feel fair."
People living near the snooker and pool club had mixed feelings about the mural.
Gillian Jones said she liked it and it "brightened her day".
Glen Bridock said he was "a fan of the Rocket" and thought the design looked "brilliant".
Frank Short conceded that "the artwork is ok but the eyes are all wrong. It looks like he's taken something".
Shaun Spalding described the art as "shocking"
"His eyes are all wrong, his teeth are wrong, it just don't look like Ronnie. It looks like somebody who's got a skeletal face."
Ashmore, who has completed numerous murals for businesses, said he had always intended to hire a cherry picker to finish the job, but would not be pressured into "rushing" it.
"It's not finished, there's bits of skin tone to do and I'll finish it off as and when I can.
"I'm not just going to rush it in three days because people have complained on social media. I want to do it properly in my own time."
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Tags:#فن جداري#البلياردو#شيفيلد#روني أوسوليفان#فن الشارع#ثقافة
Source: BBC Sport
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