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Artist Accuses Social Media Star of Art Theft
18 Jun
Summary
- Brooklyn artist Gavin Snider claims Devon Rodriguez copied his Knicks celebration painting.
- Rodriguez, a popular social media artist, posted a similar work hours after the Knicks won.
- Snider seeks credit for his work, not financial compensation or removal of prints.
Brooklyn artist Gavin Snider alleges that social media personality Devon Rodriguez copied his watercolor painting.
Snider's artwork, which captured fans celebrating outside Madison Square Garden following the New York Knicks' recent NBA title win, was commissioned prior to the finals and had received the Knicks' approval. Hours after the Knicks' victory, Rodriguez, who boasts nearly 34 million followers on TikTok, shared his own painting, featuring uncanny visual similarities to Snider's work.
Rodriguez, known for his subway drawing videos and high-profile interviews, has since deleted posts and removed prints of his painting from his online shop. Snider expressed his disappointment, stating his goal is not financial but to receive credit or acknowledgment that his artwork served as inspiration.
This situation highlights the complexities of copyright in the digital age. Legal expert Virginia Rutledge notes that the copyright system constantly addresses such questions to refine its boundaries. Snider has not commented on potential legal action but aims to raise awareness about artist crediting on social media, emphasizing the difference between creating art inspired by an event versus copying another artist's work entirely.
