Exciting plans have been unveiled this week for a permanent memorial to the much-missed musical legend David Bowie in the singer’s birthplace of Brixton. The ambitious crowdfunding project is hoping to bring to reality the erection of the ‘ZiggyZag’, a multi-coloured stainless steel statue in the form of a lightning bolt.

Focal point in Brixton

The startling 9-metre high red and blue image would be a fitting focal point for Bowie’s global fan base to pay homage to their fallen hero, with the expectation that it would be sited alongside the existing Aladdin Sane mural that faces Brixton Tube station.

That was the location where devoted fans held a vigil on the night that Bowie died.

‘Aladdin Sane’ image

The statue would no doubt evoke memories for some fans of Bowie’s alter ego of Ziggy Stardust. But the concept is said to be based on the imagery on the album sleeve cover forAladdin Sane”, where followers will recollect that the Starman painted a lightning bolt on his face.

It would form a striking landmark in the heart of south London, with some backers referring to the “bolt from above” as an “utterly joyous” vision which has been formed in collaboration with representatives of the late musician and actor. The campaign is hoping that the necessary finances can be raised via ‘crowdfunding’, the increasingly common practice of funding a project by gathering monetary contributions from many people.

Brit Award success for Bowie

Bowie’s enduring memory continues to strike a chord with the British public, even after his untimely death in January last year at the age of 69. The recent Brit Awards provided a timely reminder of his musical prowess, as he once again dominated proceedings by scooping the prestigious British Male and Mastercard British Album awards for album “Blackstar”.

Dedicated to the ‘kooks’

His proud son - the film director Duncan Jones – attended the lavish shindig at London’s O2 venue to accept the best album prize on his father’s behalf. He dedicated the award to “all the kooks and all the people who make the kooks,” a poignant reference to the “Hunky Dory” album track that Bowie wrote for him as a child.