The graffiti artist “Stick” noticed that the lead candidate of the CSV in the capital, Serge Wilmes, posed in front of one of his works.

On Monday he posted a picture of the election poster at the side of a road on Facebook and said that:

“Well this happens if you paint in a public space! The CSV used one of my graffiti for their electoral campaign in Luxembourg City without my knowledge.”

Within a few hours, his post received over 150 likes and over 60 comments, ranging from ironic to angered to admiring.

The graffiti can be found at the old abattoir in Hollerich and is a legal public space for graffiti artists to show off their skills.

His signature “Stick” is clearly visible on the poster.

Contacted by Delano, Stick was reluctant to talk, saying that he didn’t want to make a “public drama” out of it, but that he was against being instrumentalised by any party. He had already contacted the CSV and was currently trying to sort it out with the centre right party. He said:

“I do not want to be associated with any political party.”

He added that “the best thing for me would be if they would take the big posters down, where you can see my full name.”

Paperjam contacted a lawyer to ask about the legal issues related to copyright. David Alexandre from Arendt&Medernach said that, while there is no jurisprudence on graffiti yet in Luxembourg, it can be considered to be under copyright because it has the imprint of the author.

However, because it is in a public space, it must be the main subject of the reproduction and commercialisation. Stick could argue that his graffiti is the main subject as most of it features on the poster, but the CSV can argue that the main subject is the candidate Wilmes.

Stick said that the CSV will publish a statement soon to dissociate the artist from the party.

Delano left a message with the CSV on Tuesday requesting comment.