Secondary

Secondary School Age 12-16

Reinterpret through identity.

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.

Young Dudes Gallery

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A citywide Schools Gallery

Each participating school will be invited to select up to four winning artworks, judged internally by teachers, before submitting high quality scans to the Face The Strange selection panel. These selected works will represent the school’s official entries for consideration in the main gallery.

Alongside this, we will invite every participating school to create its own small gallery on 8 January 2027, David Bowie’s 80th birthday. This will allow all children’s submissions to be celebrated within their own school, contributing to a wider city wide school exhibition across Manchester.

Parents, families, friends and the wider schools/Universitiy community can be invited in to enjoy the children’s work in a celebration of art, music, space and imagination.

Selected original works will then be collected and displayed as part of the Face The Strange Gallery at Aviva Studios, Manchester, during the January 2027 celebrations.

Subject to available funding, small grants may also be offered to help schools/Universities with simple display materials and light refreshments.

Selected schools/Universities may also be invited to take part in filming for a BBC documentary celebrating the creativity of young people and Bowie’s enduring legacy.