Statue of David Bowie

A bronze statue called Earthly Messenger stands in Market Square, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The sculptor is Andrew Sinclair, who finished the work in 2018. It shows David Bowie as he looked in 2002, life-size and holding props from his alter egos. Ziggy Stardust appears at the front, while other characters appear along the sides. Speakers above the statue play one of Bowie’s songs every hour. The statue was unveiled where Bowie first performed as Ziggy Stardust, linking the town to his early career. A crowdfunding appeal raised £100,000 from fans, with extra money from grants. Reactions were divided: Artlyst called the piece “hideous,” while Rob Stringer of Sony Music praised it as “beautiful.” Within two days of its unveiling, the statue was vandalised with graffiti. Visitors find the statue in the middle of Market Square, surrounded by shops and cafés. The bronze surface shows Bowie’s face and hands in detail, with small objects tucked into the design. Above, speakers play his music at regular intervals, adding sound to the scene. The square itself is a busy place, so the statue can be viewed from several angles.