Just days after the release of his 28th album, prolific pop star, fashion icon, artist, and weirdo David Bowie has died at the age of 69. He has been battling cancer for the last 18 months, a revelation via social media that casts his hospital-bound in a new light, both brilliant and melancholy.
If you’ve been on any social media platform since the news was announced, you’ve probably seen his iconic quote, “I don’t know where I’m going from here but I promise it won’t be boring," quipped on his 50th birthday event at Madison Square Garden. It would be nice to picture Bowie as a physics-defying Starman, changing the lives of aliens across the universe with his space oddity. But I think that quote is best applied simply to the idea of him, in the memories of those of us left here on Earth. From empathy toward visionary weirdos to the enchanting ideas his creativity planted in our lives, Bowie's echo will keep us inspired through the future.
A photo posted by David Bowie (@davidbowie) on Jan 10, 2016 at 10:49pm PST
“He always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was no different from his life - a work of Art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift,” writes longtime friend and collaborator Tony Visconti in a Facebook post. “He will always be with us. For now, it is appropriate to cry.”
Artists around the world are letting out a collective cry of grief over Bowie’s death and appreciation of his life, scrawling hasty tributes in a burst of emotion or highlighting their favored creative efforts inspired by the Thin White Duke. We’ve gathered several artworks with which we most empathized, ranging from French illustrator Jean Jullien to South African collage artist Catherine Holtzhausen. Check out their work below.
London painter and street artist James Cochran.
A photo posted by James Cochran (Jimmy C) (@akajimmyc) on Jan 10, 2016 at 11:28pm PST
A photo posted by Reuters (@reuters) on Jan 11, 2016 at 4:24am PST
New York City photographer and music video director Mick Rock.
A photo posted by Mick Rock (@therealmickrock) on Jan 11, 2016 at 3:21am PST
French illustrator and comic artist Jean Jullien.
A photo posted by @jean_jullien on Jan 10, 2016 at 11:28pm PST
Jordanian cartoonist and animator Omar Momani.
A video posted by Omar Momani (@omarmomani) on Jan 11, 2016 at 6:35am PST
South African illustrator and artist Catherine Holtzhausen.
A photo posted by Catherine Holtzhausen (@catherine.holtzhausen) on Jan 11, 2016 at 7:38am PST
London and Beijing illustrator Zhang Liang Ray.
A photo posted by Zhang Liang (Ray) (@zhangliangray) on Jan 11, 2016 at 7:38am PST
Spanish illustrator and sculptor Celipe Perroloco.
A photo posted by Celipe Perroloco (@fragilefreaks) on Jan 11, 2016 at 6:07am PST
Comic artist Alli Katz.
A photo posted by alli katz (@allikatz) on Jan 11, 2016 at 4:53am PST
Los Angeles-based artist Gary Baseman.
A photo posted by Gary Baseman (@garybaseman) on Jan 11, 2016 at 1:46am PST
Rio de Janeiro flower artist Floriografia.
A photo posted by floriografia (@floriografia) on Jan 11, 2016 at 5:02am PST
Tokyo illustrator, UI designer, photographer, and visual artist Chiyun Yeh.
A photo posted by chiyun yeh (@yochan666) on Jan 11, 2016 at 7:37am PST
Argentina-based art director and illustrator Kidmograph.
A video posted by Gustavo (@kidmograph) on Jan 11, 2016 at 7:15am PST
See more David Bowie tributes on Instagram.
Related:
Yukon Blonde's "Saturday Night" Music Video Is Fellini Meets David Bowie
David Bowie's "★" Director Talks Making the 10-Minute Short Film