Lambeth council is to protect the David Bowie mural on the side of Morleys that has become a shrine to the artist who was born in Brixton and died in January.
A local listing will protect the mural and the council is also considering renaming the area where the mural is in Tunstall Place. It is in contact with Bowie’s family about the many suggestions for a permanent memorial, including statues and place naming.
Council leader Lib Peck said: “It is ultimately the family’s decision as to what may be appropriate. We must respect that and be patient.
“Lambeth residents have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection visibly demonstrated by floral tributes, messages and people visiting the Bowie mural to pay their respects to this unique ‘Brixton boy’.
“We are also in contact with the Bowie fan club and other Brixton organisations who want to honour the memory and legacy of this extraordinary artist. We will share any word we get from his family that will determine what we do next.”
The council said its street cleaning team has been working “discretely and respectfully” to maintain the floral tributes. But next week the remaining flowers will be removed.
The advertising contract for the cosmetics range of Bowie’s widow Iman’s is to end so Morleys will be removing the poster.
The council has commissioned photographs of the posters, mural, tributes and messages as a permanent record which will be mounted and given to Morleys, the 02, Pop Brixton and any other organisations that wish to display them.
Morleys will preserve messages on the brick wall and non-perishable items like drawings and cards will be stored in the council archives.
I am as many others are thrilled to read this and thankyou from the bottom of my heart as others for this to happen. Its amazing that the council has allowed us to do this for weeks and our graffiti to be preserved rather than cleaned off. Thankyou moreleys for putting up with us fans most of us in our 50s 60s and 70s and should know better than to write on walls but somthing happened on the day he died. I just wish or hope he is looking down and thinking omg. Really.
Yes Rock God really. Thank you Rickie gervais for the new title.x much love.
Deborah Peart. Left a blk box with 6 roses and 6 names.x
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I appreciate the councils response to the area of tributes to david bowie and would like to thank them for being in contact with the family over any plans for a permanent memorial. Very fitting for a true worldwide icon/ legend in music.