Gallery speaks out about AI row which ‘overshadowed’ art exhibition fundraiser

A Brighton art gallery has spoken out after art exhibition designed to raise awareness and funds for dementia charity Dementia UK was overshadowed by controversy over AI use.

Actor and artist Jake Wood, known for his role as Max Branning on EastEnders, showcased his Icons exhibition at Indelible Fine Art Gallery in Jew Street, featuring a series of mixed-media portraits of well-known figures.

Some of the works were found to have included AI-generated imagery, sparking criticism and shifting attention away from the exhibition’s charitable aims.

Jake Wood in front of a giant mural copied from his artwork of Sir Winston Churchill (Image: David McHugh / Brighton Pictures)

A spokesman for Indelible Fine Art Gallery said: “What was intended to be a positive and light-hearted exhibition to raise awareness and funds for Dementia UK has unfortunately been overshadowed in recent days by a level of commentary that has impacted not only Jake Wood and his family, but also Dame Barbara Windsor’s widower, our gallery and Dementia UK.

“We are a small independent business that has always been rooted in community led initiatives and charitable collaborations, and this project was created with exactly that intention.”

(Image: David McHugh / Brighton Pictures)

Mr Wood faced criticism on social media after sharing a portrait of David Attenborough from the exhibition, which led to claims that AI was used in its creation.

He has since clarified in two public statements that while two pieces in the collection did use AI-generated source material, they were not created using AI by him personally.

Mr Wood said: “Whilst I acknowledge that two of the images featured in the exhibition, Attenborough and Trump, incorporated AI-generated source imagery, these images were not personally generated by me and already existed prior to being used within the works.

“These particular pieces were created in 2024 and were not originally intended for inclusion in this exhibition.

“Since then I have not used AI within my artworks and do not intend to moving forward.”

He also issued an apology to the gallery for ‘any negative commentary directed towards them.’

The gallery spokesman said: “We recognise that AI is a complex and often contentious subject within the art world, and it continues to evolve as part of an open and ongoing conversation.

“As Jake has publicly stated, the images in question were likely AI generated, but not directly created by him in the way originally understood.

“He has taken responsibility, acknowledged the confusion this has caused, and has apologised.

“In addition, he has committed to donating 100% of the proceeds from the exhibition to Dementia UK.”

Indelible Fine Art has invited members of the public to visit the gallery and experience the work first-hand.