According to an artist, a memorial plaque dedicated to an “adulterer” is nearly an exact replica of his artwork.
Roger is mentioned on a seat in Royal York Crescent in Clifton, Bristol, according to the plaque.
However, no one has taken credit for the plaque, which has received a lot of attention on social media, and it’s unclear if it depicts a genuine person.
Artist: The Misfortune Teller, it’s a “copycat” version of something he made in the past.
Although he blamed “meme culture” for the copying, he insisted that art is his livelihood and that he needs more rules to safeguard it.
The London-based artist claimed the idea was lifted “from one of the first ones” he “mocked up,” declining to reveal his true identity in order to maintain his secrecy.
“I made it four years ago on Photoshop and posted it to Instagram on 15 August,” he said.
“They [the bench plaque creator] actually copied it word-for-word apart from a comma. I don’t understand the motivation – unless they are a superfan.
“Most people would say ‘shut up just enjoy the attention’, but this is how I make my living.”
Residents of Clifton have said that the bench has turned into a “mysterious tourist attraction” in the past.
“The world of funny memorial plaques isn’t just mine, but it’s a wholesale word-for-word theft,” The Misfortune Teller said.
He said that some of his earlier plaque creations have previously gone viral or been shared or duplicated without giving him credit.
“I’m not angry. All I want is clarity,” the artist said.
“The meme culture is just so strong that by the time you realise it’s been stolen, everybody has shared it and they’re 1,000 memes ahead.”
He expressed his desire that more robust legislation will be introduced to shield artists from not receiving credit for their work that is copied.
