EastEnders actor Jake Wood has closed his art exhibition at Indelible Fine Arts in Brighton after a furious backlash over the inclusion of AI-generated imagery in his works. The gallery announced the decision, citing “abusive” messages directed at them and stating that the exhibition’s original message had been “lost.” Wood, known for playing Max Branning on the BBC soap, had curated the show to raise funds for Dementia UK, but controversy erupted when viewers discovered that some pieces—including portraits of Attenborough and Trump—incorporated pre-existing AI source imagery.
This incident highlights the growing tension between traditional artistic creation and the use of AI in the visual art world, especially when the artist is a celebrity entering the field. The backlash forced a small independent gallery to close a charity exhibition, raising questions about transparency, artistic integrity, and the ethical boundaries of AI in art. It also underscores how quickly public sentiment can derail well-intentioned fundraising efforts when authenticity is perceived to be compromised.