A Sheffield street artist has hit back at critics who labeled his Ronnie O'Sullivan mural 'zombie-like,' clarifying that the artwork is still a work-in-progress and requires significant touch-ups.
- Artist Chris Ashmore clarified the mural is 'unfinished' and currently in the early stages.
- Critics on social media described the depiction of Ronnie O'Sullivan as 'skeletal' and 'shocking'.
- Technical issues with scaffolding obstructed the artist's perspective during the process.
- The Spot On Snooker Club manager condemned personal attacks against the artist.
A large-scale mural of snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan in Sheffield has sparked an intense online debate. Commissioned for the back wall of the Spot On Snooker Club on Langsett Road, the artwork by street artist Chris Ashmore has received a polarizing reception, with some viewers claiming the seven-time world champion looks more like a "zombie" than a sports icon.
Facing a wave of viral criticism, Ashmore defended his work by revealing that the project is far from complete. He explained that he had only completed two of the five weeks allocated for the commission, meaning the piece was effectively a rough draft when it caught the public's attention.
The Perspective Problem
The artist pointed to logistical hurdles as a primary cause for the current appearance. Ashmore explained that he was forced to work from a scaffolding platform due to the uneven terrain, which prevented him from using a scissor lift. "I couldn't stand back and see things as a whole," Ashmore noted, adding that the lack of a full perspective led to the anatomical inaccuracies highlighted by critics.
BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident highlights the volatile nature of public art in the age of instant social media sharing. The tendency to judge a "work-in-progress" as a finished product creates an environment of premature criticism, often ignoring the technical and physical constraints artists face on-site.
"Public art is a dialogue between the creator and the community, but that dialogue is often distorted by the speed of viral internet culture."
Community reactions remain divided. While residents like Gillian Jones stated the mural "brightened her day," others, such as Shaun Spalding, described it as "shocking," specifically citing the eyes and teeth as being completely wrong.
Dan Kirkland, manager of Spot On, stood by Ashmore, acknowledging that while the face needs "tweaking," the personal attacks on the artist are unacceptable. He emphasized that having an opinion on art is fair, but "slagging off" the creator is not.
Q1: Why did the mural look 'skeletal' to some viewers?
A: The artist had not yet completed the skin tone layers and fine-tuning, and his view was obstructed by scaffolding.
Q2: Will the artist fix the mural?
A: Yes, Chris Ashmore intends to hire a cherry picker to complete the touch-ups in his own time without rushing.
