Toronto-based illustrator Cinders McLeod has long loved the work of U.K. street artist Banksy. But when she went to see an exhibit of his work in Toronto this past June, she was stunned by how many of his images reminded her of her own work.
Now sheâs wondering if the artist may have been influenced by her, and whether she has the right to credit.
McLeod says one of the most arresting comparisons is a newspaper illustration she did called âDeep Sea Lovers,â and Banksyâs drawing for the Think Tank album cover from the band Blur.
Both images feature a couple wearing old-style, deep-sea diving helmets, locked in an embrace. Her piece was published in The Glasgow Herald in 1997; Banksyâs album cover drawing came out in 2003.
âI feel he was possibly extremely influenced by that,â she told CTVâs Your Morning Friday.
Another piece of hers from 1999, called âAnarchic Granny,â shows older ladies lawn-bowling lit bombs. McLeod says it appears similar to a Banksy piece from 2003 called âBomb Middle England.â
If it were just one or two pieces that seemed similar, McLeod says she might not be bothered; but she sees a resemblance in 16 of Banksyâs pieces to drawings she created between 1995 and 2001 while working in the U.K.
McLeod said sheâs always admired Banksyâs work -- âI think heâs fantastic. I have given him great praise.â But she said those feelings changed as she walked around that exhibit.
While she first felt flattered at the idea that she may have influenced Banksy, she soon remembered her struggle to get credit for her work during her U.K. days. McLeod says political cartooning is a field of illustration in which women are often ignored.
âMany men still don't think women should be or can be political cartoonists. Iâve been excluded from exhibitions and anthologies,â she said, adding she eventually grew weary of the struggle and left to become a book illustrator instead.
âSo there I am not being accepted by the establishment, and I walk into an exhibition of an artist thatâs supposed to be held by the king of anti-establishment, one of my great heroes.â
Her initial feelings of flattery soon turned to confusion and betrayal.
âI see my work in his images. Perhaps,â she said, choosing her words carefully.
McLeod is not looking for money, nor is she planning to sue. âThis is absolutely about credit,â she said.
When asked for comment on McLeodâs allegations, the organizers behind the âArt of Banksyâ exhibit responded: âItâs so subjective with topics like this that itâs really down to the person viewing it. Artists have always been influenced by other artists from painters to musicians. That quote from Picasso comes to mind when he said, âGood artists copy, great artists stealâ.â
McLeod feels that Picasso quote (or misquote) is often misunderstood and taken out of context, but she wonders whatâs so âgreatâ about not offering to respect to fellow artists.
âArtists should be accountable -- even anonymous artists like Banksy,â she said. âWe all should be giving each other credit for the work that we use.â