A new mural of seven-time snooker world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has split opinion in Sheffield after going viral online.
The artwork was commissioned for the back wall of the Spot On Snooker Club on Langsett Road, prompting a variety of reactions.
Pictures of the mural brought about descriptions such as ‘skeletal’ and ‘zombie-like’, with some questioning if the face even resembled O’Sullivan.
The man behind the work, local street artist Chris Ashmore, has defended the mural and clarified that it is not yet finished.
Ashmore told BBC Sport that he is only two weeks into the five-week project and will not rush himself, saying he wants to do it “properly”.
He also said his view of the mural had been affected by scaffolding used during the work. “I usually use a scissor lift, but couldn’t as the land is too uneven,” he explained.
A view of the unfinished muralCharley Atkins / SWNS / Profimedia
The snooker club’s manager, Dan Kirkland, said some areas of the face, particularly around the eyes, still need to be changed, but called for people to be more kind.
“What has upset us is seeing some of the reactions becoming personal towards Chris,” he said.
“People are absolutely entitled to like or dislike a mural. Having an opinion about a piece of artwork is one thing, slagging off the person who created it is another.”