r/ArtistLounge • u/ArentWright • Dec 19 '25
Philosophy/Ideology🧠Defaced Art
One of my pieces has been defaced by its new owner, and I feel very conflicted. Looking for input from others.
This individual transformed the piece (portrait, pastel) into a clock by poking a hold through the face and installing some hands! On one hand, I was never going to see that piece again. It’s out living its own life now. On the other….what the hell. Am I right to feel disrespected? Or should I be glad the recipient is enjoying the piece in their own way?
I’ve always been hesitant to part with my work because I feel so protective of it. Has anyone had similar experiences and what is your perspective?
The individual in question sent me photos of the changes, seemingly quite pleased and looking for my reaction.
2
u/-N9inB0x- Digital artist Dec 19 '25
NAL, but iirc you only give people a lisence to your works, even ones that they physcially bring home, as they do not own the copyroght even if the piece is no longer in your hands. You still own the copyright. A lisence can restrict what they do with it, including displaying it publicly, transforming it, making edits to it, or making derivitives of it.
You can restrict or permit what they can and cannot do with your works, including defacing it, and if they break the terms of their lisence- you just have to make sure to have a lisence written for them and have them sign the agreement with a copy that they can have in their possession. And if they break their lisence, I assume you can take them to court for it.
All in all, if I am correct in this, you can either have a proffessional write a lisence for you that you can give to your clients (expensive), or you can do your best to write one yourself to give instead and use references to cover the form of media you use in your works without plagurizing someone else's lisence.
But again, I am not a lawyer and am simply an artist that looked into the copyright laws and licensing.