Steve Hogarth, the lead singer of Marillion who helped unveiled the bronze sculpture back in March, has expressed his anger upon hearing report of the second vandalism.
- October 18, 2018
AceShowbiz - A man has been arrested for allegedly vandalising a statue of the late David Bowie in Aylesbury, England.
The bronze sculpture, titled Earthly Messenger, features a likeness of Bowie viewing depictions of his various alter egos and was officially revealed to the public in March, outside the Friars Club venue - where the Starman hitmaker played one of his most famous gigs. Days after it was unveiled, the shrine was defaced.
The statue has now been vandalised for the second time in six months, and a 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after allegedly throwing blue paint over the sculpture.
"A 29-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage following a report of damage to the David Bowie statue," a statement posted by officers on the Thames Valley Police Twitter account reads.
A 29 year old male has been arrested on suspicion of Criminal Damage following a report of damage to the David Bowie statue. We are still appealing to anyone that may have witnessed the incident to contact 101 ref:43180311188. #P7644
— TVP Aylesbury Vale (@TVP_Aylesbury) 16 October 2018
We are appealing for witnesses and information following damage caused the David Bowie statue and surrounding buildings in Aylesbury.
— TVP Aylesbury Vale (@TVP_Aylesbury) 12 October 2018
Please let us know on our website or on 101 if you have any info that may help. https://t.co/nHLJC3Skhipic.twitter.com/Y8IZrHwbrp
Marillion singer Steve Hogarth, who helped unveil the statue, expressed his anger that the artwork had been damaged again.
"I hear the Bowie statue has been vandalised again in Aylesbury," he told WENN. "Why don't people just paint themselves? I'm sure the blue paint can be cleaned off and the statue returned to its new condition."
Bowie, who passed away aged 69 in January 2016 after a battle with cancer, debuted tracks from his groundbreaking 1972 album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" at a Friars Club gig which was attended by Queen's Roger Taylor and Freddie Mercury.
Funds to build the statue, which prominently features Bowie dressed as Ziggy, were raised through grants and a $142,000 (£100,000) crowdfunding appeal launched by Friars Club founder David Stopps.
