Why A ‘Cultural Surgeon’ Secretly Hung AI Art In A National Museum

Prankster With a Cause Sneaks AI Artwork Into UK Museum

An unsolicited digital print hung undetected for several hours on the walls of the National Museum Cardiff in Wales after it was installed by a conceptual artist in the museum’s contemporary art wing. Later revealed to be AI-generated, Elias Marrow’s “Empty Plate” (2024) bamboozled museum visitors and staff alike, as no one could explain its presence. The print emulates an oil portrait of a nondescript young boy in a school uniform, holding a ba…

Why A ‘Cultural Surgeon’ Secretly Hung AI Art In A National Museum

Artist Elias Marrow says the unsanctioned act wasn’t meant as vandalism, but as a provocation about power, access and art in the age of artificial intelligence.

Artist displays AI-generated print in National Museum Cardiff gallery

Artist Elias Marrow displayed an AI-generated print on the walls of the National Museum Cardiff in Wales before it was removed by staff.The artwork, titled Empty Plate (2024), depicts a young boy wearing school uniform and holding a plate. It was generated using AI before being printed.Via Marrow's website, "Some say the work references Victorian charity propaganda. Others believe it’s a replica of a painting that never existed."Elias Marrow has…

Artist Secretly Hangs AI Work in Welsh Museum, Calling It ‘Participation Without Permission’

Artist Elias Marrow secretly installed his AI-generated piece Empty Plate in the National Museum Cardiff to question curatorial systems.

ELIAS MARROW DOES NOT EXPLAIN

A secretive artist put up an AI-generated image at the National Museum Cardiff. The notice with it says "With announcement, Elias Marrow placed a piece inside the National Museum Cardiff, contemporary section. The work, a simple statement meant to be missed, was hanging for hours before notice by staff. The work, empty plate, represents the state of Wales in 2025." Rowan Callister writes about Elias Marrow on Medium. Title of this post is from e…