AI-Generated Mural Sparks Backlash in Banksy’s Hometown of Bristol

A new AI-designed vinyl mural, mounted in Banksy’s hometown of Bristol, is facing heavy criticism for its mistakes, including a depiction of the wrong Banksy work.

The mural in question is pasted along the side of the Jolly Colliers Pub building in Bedminster, Bristol. It depicts not only an incorrect iteration of Cabot Tower and a dwarfed SS Great Britain, but it also contains a flawed interpretation of Banksy’s Mild Mild West (1999), with a one-legged figure pointing instead of the artist’s famous oversized teddy bear throwing a Molotov cocktail at riot police officers.

In response to the mural, the city of Bristol, which boasts an international reputation for street art, including producing the artist Banksy, received strong pushback from its local arts community.

“AI designs not only devalue but undermine the work of artists,” Caroline Maggs from the Bristol Mural Collective (BMC) told Bristol 24/7, adding that the collective was “saddened and angered by the Jolly Colliers not choosing to support hand made work.”

“We are small businesses, and as a small business themselves, they should have chosen better,” she continued. “In a climate where humans are being replaced by AI at an alarming rate, choosing art like this is not only an aesthetic choice but a political one.”

A printed letter from an unidentified artist rebuking the AI artwork was also reportedly posted below the mural on Tuesday, but has since been removed. It characterized the mural as “a disrespectful affront to this city,” while pointing out that “Hundreds of murals exist across the city, created by truly talented individuals, with passion, hard-earned skill and dedication.

“By choosing to ‘create’ (though that word gives more credit than is due) an Al generated image, produce it in vinyl and stick it to the side of your building, you are actively damaging the livelihoods of artists, disrespecting and contributing to the theft of their work, and making a mockery of what makes Bristol the city it is,” the letter stated. “You have watered down the spirit, the originality and the very essence of the visual aesthetic you have tried, and failed, to recreate.”

A spokesperson from Punch Pubs & Co, which owns the pub, explained in a statement, “The external wall requires some minor works which would make a permanent mural at this time difficult, so we have opted for a temporary solution.” They added that they were looking forward to collaborating with local artists for a more permanent piece.

“On a personal level, I would be so happy if someone circled all the mistakes in red paint like a teacher or a spot the difference puzzle. That would make it actually a good street art piece and a clear statement,” Emily Tuffen, another artist from BMC, remarked to Bristol 24/7. “Bristol loves authentic creativity and won’t stand for intellectual property theft! It wouldn’t cost the proprietors too much if they wanted THAT commissioned!”