Sheffield artist defends 'zombie-like' Ronnie O'Sullivan mural as scaffolding goes back up for fixes

Social media users nicknamed the controversial artwork 'Monkey O'Sullivan', with club manager Dan Kirkland insisting relatively small changes will transform the much-mocked piece.

Artist Chris Ashmore had completed only two of five planned weeks' work on the 30ft mural at Spot On Snooker Club in Sheffield when scaffolding came down early, exposing an unfinished portrait that went viral. Social media users branded the painting of the seven-time world champion 'terrifying', 'zombie-like' and 'the corpse of Ronnie O'Sullivan', with some dubbing it 'Monkey O'Sullivan'. Ashmore said working from a fixed scaffolding platform — rather than his usual scissor lift — prevented him from stepping back to view the full portrait properly.

Ashmore said the backlash 'didn't feel fair' with three weeks' work still to do on the piece.

Club owner Dan Kirkland has since reassembled scaffolding so Ashmore can make fixes, admitting the eyes and mouth need 'tweaking'.

One fan joked: 'I want a snooker player but I want him to look like he's just returned from war.'

The Telegraph‘Zombie’ Ronnie O’Sullivan mural gets a rocket from snooker fans Daily Mail'Terrifying' Ronnie O'Sullivan mural leaves fans snookered The HeraldScaffolding put back up at site of viral Ronnie O’Sullivan mural

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