Horrible news regarding one of our Good Folk. Lauren Nassef found out yesterday that a student in the UK has been plagiarizing her work, even winning a prestigious textile design competition by stealing her illustrations.
The portfolio in question is that of Samantha Beeston, a graduate student at Falmouth University in the UK. Beeston’s site is no longer online, but you can see a sketchbook of “her work” on YouTube. Ridiculous. Nobody wins when this sort of thing happens. I hope the awarding institution issues a public apology and that this fiasco results in some more recognition and offers coming to Lauren.
Read more about it:
Lauren Nassef’s Blog
Book By It’s Cover
You Thought We Wouldn’t Notice
This post is tagged Artwork, copy, Illustration, Lauren Nassef, plagiarism, Samantha Beeston
I have to disagree with something you’ve said here– that no one wins when this sort of thing happens. Not that I approve of Samantha’s plagiarism at ALL– what she did was unbelievably stupid and a little nauseating– but in a twisted sort of way, Lauren comes out from all of this on top. Think of the exposure! Two days ago I had no idea who Lauren Nassef is, and now I’m seeing her all over the blogosphere and am in total awe of her work.
Send her an email here:
http://www.samanthabeeston.co.uk/page5.htm
Kim, true. Sorta. I do agree that now there’s an incredible opportunity for Lauren’s work to receive (some much overdue) recognition because of all this. How does the saying go?—”All press is good press” or “There’s no such thing as bad press”, I can’t remember.
However, a horrible horrible thing has happened to a professional artist. It’s like saying that maybe having someone break in and rob your home (or better yet, steal your identity) is a great way to score some money in the end. I’m sure any artist in Lauren’s position wishes this never happened in the first place, even if it means attracting more visitors/potential clients to her portfolio.
But I will agree with you that this can be a great way to turn an awful situation into a more positive opportunity. Hopefully Lauren recognizes that and the fact that she has an amazing group of supporters standing beside her. Thanks for the comment!
Oh, and by the way Kim, you have a beautiful blog! Great photos!
“There’s no such thing as bad press”?
hmmm…
Think about that phrase from Samantha’s perspective. Don’t think she’s going to be working in the arts ever again…
I only meant that in terms of Lauren’s perspective.