Artist Chris Ashmore Defends Unfinished Ronnie O'Sullivan Mural in Sheffield

Street artist Chris Ashmore has defended his mural of snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan on the back wall of the Spot On snooker club in Sheffield, after critics compared the world champion's likeness to a zombie. Ashmore, commissioned for the artwork, told the BBC that the mural is only two weeks into a five-week project and that 'touch-ups' are still planned. He explained that he usually uses a scissor lift to view the work from a distance, but the uneven ground prevented its use, leading to the viral criticism once the scaffolding was removed. Local residents offered mixed reactions: Gillian Jones said it 'brightened her day,' while Frank Short and Shaun Spalding criticized the eyes and teeth, with Spalding calling it 'shocking.' Dan Kirkland, manager of Spot On, defended Ashmore, acknowledging that parts of the face need tweaking but condemning personal attacks on the artist. The mural has sparked debate about public art and the creative process.