Fake Art Video Debunked by Disinformation Center
A fabricated video falsely linked artist John Gerrard to a new Ukraine-themed installation in Texas.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Fine Art
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The Centre for Countering Disinformation has identified a fraudulent video that falsely attributed a new Ukraine-themed smoke installation in Texas to artist John Gerrard. The clip utilized the USA Today logo to spread the misinformation, which was orchestrated by the Russian network Matryoshka.
Why it matters
This disinformation campaign aims to manipulate public perception of Western attitudes toward Ukraine. By hijacking the branding of established media outlets, the effort seeks to discredit international support for the nation.
The actual artwork, Western Flag, was created by John Gerrard in 2017. The digital simulation depicts a flag made of black smoke to represent oil dependency and carbon dioxide emissions.
The players
Centre for Countering Disinformation
This agency is responsible for identifying and debunking foreign influence operations and misinformation campaigns.
John Gerrard
He is an artist known for digital simulations that address themes like environmental threats and industrial dependency.
Matryoshka
This is a Russian disinformation network recognized for using falsified media and stolen branding to distribute propaganda.
USA Today
This is a national news organization whose branding was misappropriated in this disinformation effort.
The details
The misleading content features a video clip styled as a professional production by USA Today, which the outlet did not produce or publish. Investigators traced the distribution of this fake media to the Matryoshka disinformation network, which commonly employs the logos of major international media companies to add a veneer of credibility to its claims.
Timeline
John Gerrard created his digital artwork Western Flag in 2017.
The Centre for Countering Disinformation debunked the fake video on September 23, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This incident follows a pattern set by the 2024 proliferation of AI-generated media in international political campaigns by utilizing sophisticated branding theft to deceive global audiences. The use of established media logos highlights an ongoing trend of weaponizing institutional trust to influence public opinion.
Viewers should verify news clips featuring high-profile branding against the official channels of the news organizations in question. Relying on verified primary sources is essential to avoiding the consumption of manipulated or fraudulent media content.
The takeaway
Disinformation networks often exploit the visual authority of legitimate news organizations to spread their narratives. Developing a critical eye toward the source of online videos is the most effective way to identify and ignore these fabricated campaigns.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of digital media and the art world, visit our Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LB.
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