"We Need To Talk" — Artist Ernest Zacharevic To Sue AirAsia For Using Art Without Consent
"This repeated behaviour sets a harmful precedent: that artists' work can be exploited without consequence," he stated.
By Tamara Jayne — 27 Jan 2025, 11:19 AM
Lithuanian street artist Ernest Zacharevic, known for his iconic Children on a Bicycle mural on Armenian Street in George Town, Penang, has announced his decision to take legal action against AirAsia for using his work without permission
The mural, a popular landmark and tourist attraction, was recently featured on the livery of an AirAsia aircraft, which Zacharevic highlighted in a video posted two months ago.
According to the artist, this is not an isolated incident.
"Over the years, my murals have appeared in their email campaigns, online advertisements, in-flight magazines, printed banners, and more," Zacharevic shared in an Instagram post.
Zacharevic said he had repeatedly asked AirAsia to stop using his artwork without proper credit, consent, or compensation
He further stated that while they initially responded to these requests, new instances of unauthorised use have repeatedly emerged.
The artist expressed concern over the implications of such actions, not just for himself but for the creative community as a whole.
"This repeated behaviour sets a harmful precedent: that artists' work can be exploited without consequence. It's not just about me — it affects the entire artistic community," he said.
Ernest shared screenshots showing AirAsia using his artwork without permission.
Image via @ernestzacharevic (Instagram)He added that the final offer from the airline failed to reflect the value of his work or address the recurring issue of unauthorised use
"Since then, I've tried to resolve this fairly and professionally. However, AirAsia's response has followed a familiar pattern: issuing statements, denying past infringements, and prolonging discussions."
"Their final offer fails to reflect the value of my work, leaving me no choice but to pursue legal action," he said.
Zacharevic expressed gratitude for the support he has received, acknowledging how challenging such battles can be for emerging artists
"Once I file the case, I won't be able to comment further. If you have questions or want to join this important conversation, now is the time," he added.
"It's gonna be a long journey and I can't express enough how much I appreciate your support," he added.
SAYS has reached out to AirAsia for comment, but the airline has yet to provide a detailed response to the allegations.
