David Bowie could feature on a new bank note, or even in space, if thousands of petitioners get their way
A petition to put David Bowie’s face on the new £20 note has gathered over 12,000 signatures in less than 24 hours, leading to hopes that Bowie – who died on Sunday – could replace Adam Smith, the Scottish economist and philosopher.
In May Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, announced that they were searching for someone from the field of visual arts to replace Smith. The poll officially closed in July, but fans are hoping that Mr Carney may make an exception, especially given that Bowie featured on the Bank’s promotion for the new note appeal.
The petition to have Bowie on a bank note is not the only one to feature on Change.org.
Another Briton, Danny Rapscallion, has enlisted almost 4,000 people in his bid to have the planet Mars renamed after the singer.
But it is the bank note petition which has, so far, gained the most support.
Smith, who lived from 1723 to 1790 and has been the face of the note since 2010. Prior to Smith it was composer Edgar Elgar.
“There are a wealth of individuals within the field of visual arts whose work shaped British thought, innovation, leadership, values and society and who continue to inspire people today,” said Mr Carney.
The person in question must be neither living nor fictional and can include architects, artists, ceramicists, craftspeople, designers, fashion designers, filmmakers, photographers, printmakers and sculptors.
The bank is asking the public to vote via its website for the individual they would like to be featured, although Mr Carney will make the final decision alongside a panel that includes artist John Akomfrah, design writer Alice Rawsthorn, and critic Andrew Graham-Dixon.
Simon Mitchell, a Bowie fan from Goole, wrote in the petition to Mr Carney: “We can think of no better way to honour David Bowie, who died on 10th January 2016, than by depicting him on the forthcoming £20 note.”
He continued: “His music has sound-tracked important events in the lives of many of us. His visual art and sense of character brought a new combination of music, performance and imagery into mainstream culture.
“A 2002 poll of ‘100 Greatest Britons’ voted for by the public listed Bowie as number 29, which demonstrates the how celebrated and familiar he is to British people.
“There is no better person to be on the next £20 note.”
Other candidates mooted for the note include Alexander McQueen.
Bowie died on Sunday from cancer, at the age of 69.
Source: The Telegraph
