A Brighton art gallery, Indelible Fine Art Gallery, has spoken out after its charity exhibition featuring actor and artist Jake Wood—known for his role on EastEnders—was overshadowed by controversy over the use of AI-generated imagery. The exhibition, titled Icons, was designed to raise awareness and funds for Dementia UK, but criticism erupted on social media after Wood shared a portrait of David Attenborough that appeared to include AI-generated elements. Wood later clarified that two pieces in the show (portraits of Attenborough and Trump) incorporated AI-generated source material, though he did not create the AI imagery himself. He has since apologized and pledged to donate 100% of the exhibition's proceeds to Dementia UK.
The controversy matters because it highlights the ongoing tension in the art world around the use of AI in creative work, especially when the art is intended for charitable purposes. The gallery, a small independent business focused on community initiatives, saw its positive mission overshadowed by public debate over artistic authenticity and the ethics of AI. The incident also underscores how quickly social media can shift attention from a fundraiser to a broader cultural argument, affecting not only the artist and gallery but also the charity and family members associated with the exhibition.