Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Student Eats AI Art in Protest
A student named Graham Granger got upset because some artwork in his university's gallery was made by artificial intelligence.
He didn't like that, so he tore down 57 pieces of the artwork and ate them.
The artwork was created by another student named Nick Dwyer, who uses AI to explore ideas about identity and how AI affects people.
The university said the exhibit had AI-generated images along with other students' work.
Granger was arrested for causing damage, which cost about $220 to fix.
This happened because some people think AI art isn't as good as art made by humans, and they call low-quality AI content 'AI slop'.
Graham Granger, a University of Alaska student, was detained for eating AI-generated artwork in protest.
Granger tore down 57 of 160 Polaroid-style prints, causing $220 in damage.
The artwork was created by Nick Dwyer, an MFA candidate exploring AI's psychological impact.
The exhibit featured AI-generated images alongside work by other MFA candidates.
Granger was charged with fifth-degree criminal mischief, a Class B misdemeanour.
- Who
- Graham Granger, a University of Alaska undergraduate student, and Nick Dwyer, the creator of the AI artwork.
- What
- Graham Granger was detained for eating AI-generated artwork in protest and causing damage to the exhibit.
- When
- The incident occurred during an art gallery exhibition at the University of Alaska.
- Where
- The incident took place at the University of Alaska's campus art gallery.
- Why
- Granger protested against the use of AI in creating artwork, which he found unacceptable.
- Accused
- Graham Granger
- University
- University of Alaska
- Charges
- Fifth-degree criminal mischief (Class B misdemeanour)
- Estimated Damage
- $220
- Artwork Creator
- Nick Dwyer
- Number of Artworks Damaged
- 57
- Total Artworks in Exhibit
- 160