A controversial Christmas mural, widely criticised as resembling a 'Lovecraftian horror', has been taken down from a riverside location in Kingston upon Thames, west London. The artwork, displayed at Riverside Walk near chain restaurants like Bill's and Côte Brasserie, featured distorted figures, malformed snowmen, and a dog with a chicken's head, drawing comparisons to John Carpenter's film 'The Thing'.
Local residents and online commentators expressed strong disapproval, with some interpreting the scene as a political commentary on migrants crossing the English Channel. The mural included people in small wooden boats wearing Christmas hats, their faces twisted into unsettling smiles. One Reddit user commented, 'I thought it was a banner about displaced people.'
The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames confirmed it had no involvement in the display. A spokesperson stated, 'Kingston Council has had no involvement in the planning or funding of the display. The landowner has now removed the installation.' The development's owners, private investment firm Canadian and Portland, reportedly insisted the scene was inspired by 16th-century Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder, known for surreal works like 'The Triumph of Death'.
While the use of AI has not been confirmed, the mural's flaws—such as multiple bleary-eyed Santas and a boat oar made of dog paws—suggest AI generation. Artist Mat Collishaw, who specialises in AI art and previously exhibited at the same location, has been linked to the work but did not respond to requests for comment. The mural was removed after widespread derision from locals and online.
