A few days ago I searched for Henry Rivers's pictures on Google. And what do I see? A Chinese webshop ad is showing a 30x45 canvas painting for 1730 HUF (!). The painting is exactly the same as the original, it says Henry Rivers, but his signature is missing. I think this is very unfair, and I have to write this. Not only because such a price is suspicious in itself (since it is impossible to get the product for that much) but also because this painting is actually a copy. Henry Rivers' work has been copied and is being sold for pennies without him getting anything from it. Neither respect nor money. This doesn't just hurt him - it harms the entire art world.
What is really happening here?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is now capable of amazing things. For example, it can copy an artist's style or even specific works in a matter of seconds. That in itself wouldn't be a problem – AI can be used creatively and ethically. But when someone takes an artist's work, makes minimal changes (say, removes the signature), and sells it for a fraction of the price, that's no longer creativity. It's theft.
And that's where sites like Temu come in. These platforms are full of AI-generated or copied images that are sold at incredibly cheap prices. Sure, a 942 HUF canvas print might be tempting at first – but think about it: what's the real price? The original artist gets nothing for it, the quality is often poor, and in the process, they ruin the operations of companies like us, artbridge.
Why is original art important?
When you buy an original work of art – be it a painting or a print – you are not just buying an object. You are also taking home a story. The artist’s thoughts, feelings, the enormous amount of time and energy they have invested in their work. Original art is more valuable not only financially, but also emotionally. By connecting to the story, the mood, and the feelings it evokes, you add your own perspective to the story, making it even more personal to you. You become part of the artist’s idea yourself! There is a very nice little novel that reaches many households because a large restaurant chain sells it as a gift. It is called: Emma and the Elephant. In it, the author, Kornélia Deres, describes how Emma was born in a painting, that is, her mother heard her crying while looking at the painting and brought her out of the forest cottage depicted in the painting. What a wonderful analogy for the inspiring power of a sight, an image created by the human mind! At the end of the story, the same image serves as a refuge for the two friends to hide from their annoying peers.
AI copies, on the other hand, lack these thoughts and ideas. No matter how similar an image may look that has been generated or copied by a machine, it lacks soul. And if we allow these to flood the market, we not only harm the artists (whose livelihood is this), but we also deprive ourselves of the experience that a real work of art can give.
Why is all this unethical?
Take this Henry Rivers painting for example. A major Chinese online store took this drawing, removed the signature (because it would be harder to explain), and started selling it at a ridiculous price. This is not only disrespectful to Henry Rivers – it is actually making it impossible for him and other artists to make a living doing what they love.
The one on the left is the original Surf Hut graphic, signed by Henry Rivers, the one on the right is the AI copy.
And that's where artbridge comes in. We work every day to support artists and bring their work to the people (you!) who appreciate the beauty and value of original works. But when we have to compete with platforms that sell copied images for pennies, we find ourselves in a difficult position.
What can you do?
You don't have to be an expert to recognize that what these sites are doing is not okay. But as a buyer, you have a lot of power over what you support! When you buy images:
Look where it comes from! Support platforms (like us) that treat artists fairly.
Think about it: what are you really buying? An AI copy or an original creation?
Don't be fooled! Cheap prices often mask poor quality - and in the process, they destroy the system that allows true art to be created.
Why does this matter to you?
The picture hanging on the wall of your home is not just decoration – it also reflects the values you represent. When you choose an original work, you are not only doing yourself a favor (because you get quality), but you are also supporting artists so that they can continue to create.
So next time you're shopping – even if you're browsing our artbridge site – think about it: what would you rather see every day? A machine-generated copy or a real story? We believe that you value the original too. And we're here for you – to bring that beauty and value into your home.
Support original art too! Because with every purchase you decide what kind of world you want to live in.
