A graphic designer has crafted a stunning tribute to the late George Michael using 12,000 metal screws, blending artistry with nostalgia. Darren Timby, who hails from Sunderland, has created this unique piece to commemorate the iconic Wham! singer, who passed away on December 25, 2016.
Timby, who started producing what he calls "screw art" in 2020, dedicated approximately 90 hours to this masterpiece, showcasing Michael's signature 1980s hairstyle. Utilizing zinc, gold-coloured, and black screws, Timby's artwork is set against a white canvas, inviting admiration from fans and art enthusiasts alike.
"George Michael’s music has always been a guilty pleasure of mine, and I wanted to create a tribute with a twist toremember him as he passed away on Christmas Day eight years ago," Timby shared with the PA news agency. This phrase captures not just the artistry of Timby but also the deep emotional connection he has with Michael’s legacy.
Creating such detailed art certainly presents its challenges. Timby explained how achieving the recognizable features of George Michael required precision and creativity. "With George, you have to do a good job on the hair and do it justice – sometimes a little squiggle here or straight line of screws can change the highlights and thecontrast," he noted. The majority of the artwork is dedicated to the hairstyle, which Timby emphasizes as fundamental to Michael's identity during his Wham! days alongside Andrew Ridgeley.
Alongside his artistic endeavors, music played a notable role during Timby’s creative process. "When creating the screw tribute, he listened to the singer’s classics like 'Faith' and 'Father Figure', which led him to get 'lost in the moment'." This sentiment highlights the emotional layer intrinsic to artistic creation—how the artist’s experience intertwines with the subject they portray.
Vividly, laughter and nostalgia filled the space as Timby reminisced about his childhood growing up with Michael’s music, especially the hit single "Last Christmas." He reflected, "You can’t get through a day in December without hearing 'Last Christmas.'" This emotional tie to the artist’s music and the timeline of the piece serve as powerful motivators for Timby.
To execute his vision, Timby had to navigate the logistics of the artwork's scale, about three feet wide by four feet high, ensuring the canvas could support the weight of the screws. "There’s a lot of maths and measuring involved to figure out the size of canvas I need to hold the weight of the metal and make sure I get all aspects of the art," he explained.
Timby began the creative process by carefully plotting where each screw would go, noting the satisfaction of seeing the piece come together. Starting with the eyes, he built layers of screws to gradually create the recognizable likeness of Michael. "It is so satisfying when I start adding them in. I started with the eyes because as soon as they become recognizable as the subject, I know the art is going to work," he said.
Timby expressed gratitude for the positive feedback he receives online as he shares his progress, admitting it blows him away when people can see the human aspects emerge from non-traditional materials. "I am so appreciative for the interactions I get on my posts... it blows me awaythat people see these lifeless objects and can see a human likeness from it," he commented.
The completed tribute currently resides in Timby’s workshop. He expressed hope it will eventually find its way to someone who can truly appreciate it. Whether it's displayed in art galleries or with devoted George Michael fans, Timby's creation stands as both nostalgic homage and innovative art. It embodies the intersection of memory, artistry, and the enduring impact of one of pop music’s beloved figures.
