A street artist has defended his large-scale mural of snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in Sheffield after online critics compared the seven-time world champion to a zombie or skeletal figure. Chris Ashmore, commissioned to create the artwork on the rear wall of Spot On Snooker Club on Langsett Road near the Crucible Theatre, says the piece remains incomplete and that finishing touches will resolve the concerns raised by residents and social media users.
The approximately 30-foot-high mural went viral after scaffolding was removed from the site, prompting a mixed reaction from the local community. While some nearby residents praised the work for brightening the area, others voiced criticism about the proportions and appearance of the portrait.
Why did the mural attract so much criticism?
The backlash intensified because the artwork was photographed and shared online before Ashmore had completed his assigned five-week project. According to reporting on the story, only two weeks of work had been finished when the scaffolding came down, leaving the upper sections and facial details incomplete. Ashmore explained that he had been unable to use his standard scissor lift due to uneven ground conditions, which affected his ability to step back and assess the work as a whole during the painting process.
Resident Frank Short highlighted specific concerns about the facial features.
The artwork is OK, but the eyes are all wrong. It looks like he's taken something.Another local, Shaun Spalding, was more critical of the overall likeness.
His eyes are all wrong, his teeth are wrong, it just don't look like Ronnie. It looks like somebody who's got a skeletal face.
What has the artist said in response?
Ashmore acknowledged the viral attention but stressed that the work remains in progress.
I usually use a scissor lift, where you can stand back and see things as a whole, but I couldn't use it as the land is too uneven. When the scaffolding came down, I came away and boom – it's gone viral. I saw people saying it looks like Michael Jackson or a zombie. I've got thick skin, I'll be OK, but it didn't feel fair.
According to the artist's account, he still plans to complete skin-tone work and make final adjustments to bring the portrait to its intended standard. The unfinished state meant that viewers were assessing a work-in-progress rather than the completed vision.
How has the snooker club responded?
Dan Kirkland, manager of Spot On Snooker Club, has publicly defended Ashmore's work and acknowledged the legitimate concerns about specific areas.
Yes, we've seen what you've seen. There are parts of the face that need tweaking, particularly around the eyes and mouth. Some relatively small changes will make a huge difference, so we'll arrange whatever access Chris needs.
Kirkland also addressed the tone of the online criticism, distinguishing between artistic critique and personal attacks.
What has upset us is seeing some of the reactions becoming personal towards Chris. People are absolutely entitled to like or dislike a mural. But having an opinion about a piece of artwork is one thing. Slagging off the person who created it is another.
According to additional reporting, the club has committed to providing whatever equipment and access Ashmore requires to complete the remaining work. The club said that targeted refinements to the eyes and mouth region would substantially improve the overall appearance of the finished piece.
What is Ashmore's track record?
Ashmore is an experienced muralist who has previously created large-scale artworks for the Spot On Snooker Club and other Sheffield landmarks. His portfolio includes murals of the Crucible Theatre, John Lennon, the Bullseye dartboard, and Freddie Mercury, demonstrating his established reputation in public art within the region.
What happens next?
Ashmore is expected to return to the site with appropriate equipment to complete the upper sections and make the refinements identified by both critics and the club management. No specific completion date has been announced, but the club has confirmed it will facilitate access as needed to finish the work properly.
