Here’s an example I can safely say for sure was a total coincidence. My piece was sketched out and ready to paint before the release of Banksy’s Nola and after seeing the similarities, I decided to ditch my idea at first and just put it down to bad luck, a classic case of sitting too long on an idea only to be beaten by a more pro-active peer. But then after I realised how much I liked the image and I knew that I wasn’t trying to rip anybody off, I just went with it. And why not? Banksy is hardly the first person to paint someone holding an umbrella, and I doubt I’ll be the last.

I know all of the above isn’t the greatest argument and discussion in the world, simply because I don’t have time to go into a total balls out essay on the subject. But I guess my point is that coincidences occur, it’s just part of life. I also wonder at times about the theory of humanity sharing a collective consciousness in some way, and how artists are said to be more in tune with the unseen ideas and thoughts that surround us. I’ve seen many examples of it in the past to support the theory and wonder if it’s such a crazy idea. The brain operates though a series of electrical impulses, maybe these waves of electricity aren’t confined to the inner workings of our own minds.

And yes, there’s always going to be people who will take the easy route and just blatantly rip somebody off, but I’d like to think that people would have enough foresight and mindfulness to try and work out which side of the line the work falls, theft, influence or simply innocent coincidence.