A bizarre AI-generated Christmas mural that sparked outrage among shoppers in south west London has been forcibly removed after dozens of complaints described it as "nightmarish" and "bonkers".
The Dystopian Christmas Display
The controversial festive installation, printed on a giant PVC sheet, appeared above riverside cafes on Riverside Walk in Kingston. At first glance, it depicted a Christmas scene with Santa and animals enjoying seasonal warmth, but closer inspection revealed distorted creatures and a strangely dystopian atmosphere.
Among the most unsettling images were a dog with a bird's head wading through partially frozen water and a snowman with human eyes and teeth, creating what shoppers described as a "spine-chilling" spectacle rather than a celebratory Christmas display.
Public Backlash and Removal
The mural was taken down at 6am on Thursday, November 20, 2025 following numerous complaints from horrified residents and shoppers. The manager at Côte Brasserie, one of the restaurants beneath the installation, confirmed to Metro: "It has been taken down. There were a lot of complaints and it's been a big talking point."
He clarified that the building's landlord was responsible for the mural, not the restaurant itself, and revealed this wasn't the first controversial AI-generated display at the location. "They put an AI generated mural up in the summer as well with distorted seafood which also was controversial," he added.
Shopper Reactions: From Bewilderment to Horror
Local residents expressed shock and dismay at the unusual Christmas display. Kelly Sherlock, 28, commented: "It was an eyesore – it was bonkers really. Everyone was going down to have a look so it was eye-catching, but in the wrong way."
Cameron Tomlin, a 37-year-old designer, said: "The mural was awful it was like some nightmarish scene. Not very Christmassy at all. It was more like a horror film scene. AI has not worked very well here unless it was done on purpose as a publicity stunt."
Teacher Prakash Patel observed how the mural became an unintentional landmark: "I passed it a few times it was up for a while. I didn't notice that it was strange at first but then people started to gather. It became a kind of landmark. But not in a good way. It was horrible, like a scene from hell."
The criticism extended to social media, where one Kingston resident likened the mural to "scenes of Lovecraftian horror," while another pointedly questioned: "So they didn't even look at it once before printing it?"
Council Response and Future Uncertainty
Kingston Council confirmed they had no involvement with the mural, stating: "The landowner has confirmed it will be removing the installation."
With the controversial display now gone, shoppers are left wondering what might replace it. Tina Sangster, who was out Christmas shopping, remarked: "We are now literally watching that space. Who knows what will come next – AI has a lot to answer for."
The incident raises questions about the use of AI in public art and what constitutes appropriate festive decoration, leaving the community both relieved and curious about what Christmas display might appear next along the riverside walkway.
