College

College Age 16-18

Reinterpret through identity.

As part of the David Bowie 80 celebrations in Manchester in January 2027, children across Manchester are invited to take part in Face the Strange, an art project celebrating creativity, imagination and self-expression.

David Bowie continually reinvented himself. From Major Tom and Ziggy Stardust to Aladdin Sane, the Thin White Duke and many more, each persona challenged ideas of identity, creativity and self-expression.

Students are invited to create an original portrait inspired by one of Bowie’s many identities, interpreting that character through their own imagination, experiences and artistic voice.

They may work in any medium—painting, drawing, collage, printmaking, textiles, photography, sculpture, mixed media or digital art. Rather than simply creating a likeness, they are encouraged to explore colour, symbolism, emotion, texture and storytelling to communicate what their chosen Bowie persona represents to them.

There are no right or wrong interpretations. The project celebrates individuality, imagination and creative freedom, encouraging students to view one of music’s greatest cultural icons through the eyes of a new generation.

Each participating school will be invited to select four winning artworks, judged internally by teachers, before submitting high-quality scans to the Face the Strange selection panel. Selected originals will then be collected and exhibited as part of the Face the Strange Gallery at Aviva Studios, Manchester, during the David Bowie 80 celebrations in January 2027.

We also hope every participating school will celebrate the project by creating its own school exhibition on 8 January 2027, David Bowie's 80th birthday. Parents, families, friends and the wider school community can enjoy the children's work together in a celebration of creativity inspired by Bowie. Subject to available funding, we hope to provide small grants to help schools stage these exhibitions, including simple refreshments and display materials.

Selected schools may also be invited to take part in filming for a BBC documentary following the nationwide project, celebrating the creativity of young people and the legacy of one of Britain's most influential artists.

Concept and overview