Artist Mike McCarthy is bringing his rock ‘n’ roll obsessions and creative impulses to life through a 10-foot-tall statue of David Bowie being constructed in Memphis. The statue, inspired by Bowie’s visit to the city in 1973, aims to commemorate the iconic musician’s career and influence.
The statue is being constructed at Off the Wall Arts, and to engage the community, McCarthy is hosting a “Glam Rock Picnic” where attendees can contribute clay to the statue. The goal is to eventually cast the statue in bronze and place it in Overton Park to honor Bowie’s connection to Memphis.
McCarthy hopes the Bowie statue will not only celebrate the musician but also inspire a music trail of sculptures honoring other significant artists. This vision aligns with McCarthy’s previous work in turning his passions into public spectacles, such as his statue of Johnny Cash in Cooper-Young.
The construction of the Bowie statue involves a mix of old-school techniques like papier-mâché and modern technology like 3D printing. Artists and volunteers are collaborating to bring McCarthy’s vision to life, with the hope of creating a lasting tribute to Bowie’s visit and influence in Memphis.
The project reflects McCarthy’s dedication to turning his passions into art for public enjoyment and aims to combat “Memphis negativity” by showcasing unique and culturally significant sculptures throughout the city. With the support of patrons and community involvement, the Bowie statue is progressing towards becoming a striking reality that will commemorate a significant moment in music history.
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