A mural created using artificial intelligence (AI) on the side of the Jolly Colliers pub in Bristol has been removed following widespread criticism from the local artistic community. The large mural, printed on vinyl and depicting several landmarks of the city, was accused of containing numerous inaccuracies and misrepresentations, sparking controversy in a city known globally for its vibrant street art scene and association with the artist Banksy.
The mural featured distorted portrayals of key Bristol landmarks, including an incorrect depiction of the Cabot Tower, Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great Britain—rendered more like a tugboat—and a viaduct-style bridge that does not exist near the city. In addition, the artwork showed an anomalous flow of traffic on the Bristol Suspension Bridge and inaccurately placed colorful houses near the Clifton Suspension Bridge, while conflating architectural features from various neo-Gothic buildings such as Wills Memorial Tower, Bristol Cathedral, and St Mary Redcliffe.
One of the most notable errors was in the AI version of Banksy’s "Mild Mild West," which replaced the iconic teddy bear throwing a petrol bomb with a one-legged figure pointing. These errors prompted strong reactions from members of the Bristol Mural Collective (BMC) and other local artists, who viewed the AI-generated piece as an affront to human creativity and the city’s artistic heritage.
Caroline Maggs, a representative of the BMC, condemned the choice to use AI art, emphasizing that it both devalues and undermines the work of human artists. She further framed the mural’s installation as not only an aesthetic misstep but also a political one, particularly in an environment where AI is perceived to threaten human jobs. Emily Tuffen, also from BMC, described the mural as a “slap in the face” to Bristol, framing it as emblematic of a broader challenge posed by AI technologies to creative industries.
Before the mural's removal, a letter from an unnamed artist was posted beneath it, calling the artwork “a disrespectful affront to this city” and accusing the pub’s proprietors of alienating the very community they intended to support. Other members of the collective expressed similar sentiments, with critics describing the piece as “visually naff” and “tone-deaf,” highlighting the disregard for the local artist community and Bristol’s artistic identity.
The mural was taken down shortly after the backlash. A spokesman for Punch, the company that owns the Jolly Colliers pub, said the AI artwork had been a temporary solution due to the poor condition of the exterior wall. He added that they looked forward to working with local artists to create a permanent mural, underscoring an intention to support authenticity and community engagement moving forward.