David Bowie has been celebrated in a giant portrait made entirely out of guitar plectrums – as he was crowned Britain’s most influential artist of the past 50 years.

The massive mosaic of the musician unveiled today was painstakingly put together using 8,610 3D printed picks.

Artist Joe Black spent six weeks carefully arranging the plectrums for his striking 6.5ft x 6.5ft portrait of the late rock superstar.

The artwork was commissioned by Sky Arts in celebration of a new list of Britain’s 50 most influential artists of the last 50 years compiled by a panel of esteemed experts from across the arts industry.

Musician David Bowie landed the number one spot, in a list that also features artist Banksy, 90s pop sensation the Spice Girls and acclaimed director, screenwriter and actress Michaela Coel.

A team of expert judges across music, film & TV, performing arts, literature and visual art were challenged to create the list by TV channel Sky Arts in a celebration of British artists past and present and their influence on global culture.

The 15-person judging panel, led by DJ, presenter and author Lauren Laverne, included MOBO Awards founder Kanya King CBE, acclaimed writer Bonnie Greer, film critic, Ali Plumb and esteemed theatre critic Lyn Gardner.

Bowie was named most influential by judges as they commended his influence across the industry and ability to transcend a variety of mediums including music, film and fashion.

To celebrate David Bowie topping the list, Sky Arts commissioned Joe Black, a critically acclaimed mixed media artist from London, to create a unique artwork of the legendary musician using guitar plectrums.

Each plectrum features a cut out shape to symbolise all the artistic disciplines Bowie influenced, from music and film to art, performance and poetry.