The late David Bowie has just been named the UK's most influential artist of the last half-century by a panel of experts across all arts industries for Sky Arts. The list recognises artists across the UK's visual arts, literary arts, performing arts, music, film and TV industries. The Ziggy Stardust musician was given the #1 slot due to his aptitude for multiple mediums: music, film and fashion.

David Bowie was a pioneer of arts and culture who continues to influence countless artists to this day. Aside from his musical influence, his exploration of gender expression had a huge impact on popular culture. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, won a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2006, a Saturn award for Best actor, earned a retrospective in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 2013 displaying his fashion influence – and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Sky Arts' list of 50 artists also featured Banksy, Spice Girls, Steve McQueen and Vivienne Westwood. The panel of judges was led by DJ and author Lauren Laverne.

To celebrate Bowie's spot at number one on their list, Sky Arts commissioned a 2-metre-tall portrait of him made up of guitar picks intricately painted and individually pieced together. Each pick contains a carving on it to relate to Bowie, such as a musical note or film camera.

The artist of the massive portrait, Joe Black explained, "Bowie was a maverick and global icon who initiated a new Bowie era in popular culture."

Artist Joe Black used over 8,500 guitar plectrums to make a portrait of David Bowie. #DavidBowie #art pic.twitter.com/FmltdSPbrx

— Our World (@OurWorl91027476) August 11, 2022

David Bowie's legacy has fiercely lived on past his death in 2016, and Sky Arts' list cements that his influence will continue for years to come.

Read Hot Press' Helena Mulkerns interview with Bowie from 1995 here.