John Goodman dummy sparks dead body fears outside Glasgow shop

Police were called to an art installation of a life-like dummy of John Goodman sitting in a car - after it was mistaken for a dead body.

A silicone version of the actor John Goodman sits in the car park of Bill's Tool Store. Picture: SWNS

The artwork features the realistic imitation of the ‘Roseanne’ star parked beside Glasgow’s iconic shop Bill’s Tools, in the East End of the city.

The dummy, which is slumped forward asleep with a toothpick in its mouth, is so realistic it has hairs on its arm which has been confusing people walking past.

Graham Ramsay, artist and curator, said: “The police appeared the first day it was there.

The artwork features the realistic imitation of the 'Roseanne' star parked beside Glasgow's iconic shop Bill's Tools, in the East End of the city. Picture: SWNS

‘’They were looking through the window and thought they’d better just check in Bill’s Tools.

“The artist Jack Cheetham spoke to the duty officer there and had to alert the local police to explain what was going on.”

Allan Duff, 48, co-owner of Bill’s Tools said: “The police were passing and one of them knew it was a joke and one of them didn’t so they went to smash the window.

The artwork features the realistic imitation of the 'Roseanne' star parked beside Glasgow's iconic shop Bill's Tools, in the East End of the city. Picture: SWNS

“The reaction to the dummy in the car has been brilliant. It’s been the best thing out of all the things in the shop.

“We’ve had a bit of a laugh with customers when they ask ‘is that guy still sleeping in that car?’ “We’ve had customers in worrying about him thinking he’s dead. It’s so life-like.

“It’s not what we expected but it’s a bit of fun.”

The installation is part of art festival Glasgow International 2018 exhibition ‘Good £uck’ (corr) which sees art created by local artists placed in four shops around Glasgow.

The stores include a tool shop, a newsagents, a joke shop and a fabric shop.

The art includes a toy hand in a fridge, a fake loaf of bread with eyes, and a man selling perfume.

Graham said: “Jack has got a bit of an obsession with John Goodman.

“He tracked down a head cast from an LA special FX and then made his own silicone cast. It’s got quite story to it.”

The artist also made a cast of his arms for the dummy.

Graham added: “I think it shows the work was successful in adding moments of surprise to people’s lives.”