Aiden Grenelle stands beside his design and the image of David Bowie which inspired him. Photo: Image Now.

IRISH GRAPHIC DESIGNER Aiden Grenelle has been selected to display his work at the upcoming retrospective on the life and work of David Bowie at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A).

The ‘David Bowie Is’ exhibition is the V&A’s fastest-selling showcase in history – with nearly 48,000 visitors having already booked tickets. Meanwhile, David Bowie has scored his first UK number one album in 20 years with the release of The Next Day, which is also the fastest-selling album of the year so far.

The exhibition, running from 23 March to 11 August, will feature more than 300 objects – include handwritten lyrics, original costumes, fashion, photography, film, music videos, set designs and Bowie’s own instruments.

Grenelle of Image Now is among 100 international artists and designers who have contributed to a typographic screen-print commissioned by the V&A for the show, which will open on Saturday, March 23.

“David Bowie was my first pin-up, musical hero so to be invited to contribute to this exhibition is an incredible honour,” Grenelle. “My contribution celebrates Ziggy Stardust, the character that had the most impact on me as a teen. The Ziggy Stardust bodysuits from 1972, designed by Freddie Burretti, will also be on display as part of the exhibition.”

“Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars was the soundtrack of my art college years in Dundee during the mid-80s. And he’s the artist I’ve returned to the most for pleasure and for inspiration. He is pop’s greatest innovator without a doubt.”

The selection marks the second major success for Image Now this year; the studio’s subsidiary Image Now Films was also behind the recent Sundance Festival award-winning documentary The Summit, directed by Nick Ryan.

Darrell Kavanagh, MD of Image Now said: “This is great news for Aiden and a truly-deserved honour for him.”

More than 100 leading international designers and artists were approached by Blam (aka Mark Blamire) of Print Process to produce a typographic mark or logotype for the word ‘Bowie’. Grennelle’s contribution was chosen as part of the final print.

The result, a 500mm x 500mm print, entitled ‘The Changing Face of Bowie’, is available exclusively from the V&A.