David Bowie Sheffield tribute mural ridiculed on social media

The Aladdin Sane painting has been criticised by some people on Twitter

A David Bowie tribute mural created by a Sheffield graffiti artist has been ridiculed by some social media users.

A 7ft (2.1m) painting by Trik featuring Bowie in the persona of his character Aladdin Sane has appeared on a street corner in the city centre.

One Twitter contributor remarked, "How did you find an artist with no idea what Bowie looked like?", while another asked, "Who is that a picture of?"

Trik said he found it all "fun", but he might now paint over the picture.

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The 25-year-old self-taught artist said: "I'm looking at the reaction right now. It's not very nice to see people talking about me as an artist.

'Let them hate'

"I'm going to get a picture of it, so it will be fine, but I've got to do what I've got to do."

Speaking about the adverse reaction, he said: "Let them hate, I'm finding it fun."

Trik said he painted the work as a tribute to Bowie

Stuart Robertson was one of several people on Twitter who drew a comparison between the Bowie image and former BBC Radio 1 DJ Pat Sharp.

Another Twitter user, Jon Adams, said: "A novel idea would be to have a tribute that looks like Bowie, who is that a picture of?"

Trik's painting replaced one of Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger that had been defaced.

A few people have come to Trik's defence - Anne Carter said on BBC Sheffield's Facebook: "Not quite right. But good!"

And Jamie McKelvie tweeted: "I feel really bad for the Sheffield Bowie mural artist."

Meanwhile passers-by in the city centre were also much more positive about the results.

Bowie died from cancer in January, shortly after his 69th birthday.

Former "Fun House" presenter Pat Sharp was suggested as a lookalike

This contributor questioned the artist's skills

Jon Adams said "Who is that picture of?"

A similar mural in Bowie's birthplace in Brixton, south London, has not attracted any noticeable criticism