Spanish beach body campaign uses model's image without permission

A Spanish body positivity campaign The Summer is Ours has raised eyebrows, after it was revealed that one of the artists involved used images and text that she did not have permission to use. 

ArteMapache was commissioned by the Women's Institute, a organisation attached to Spain's Ministry of Equality, to create a poster for the launch of their summer campaign, which seeks to encourage women of all sizes to be proud of their beach bodies. 

On Wednesday, the reaction to the launch was widely positive, with Twitter users praising the message behind the poster. 

"Love this new campaign in Spain! I still find it hard to forget those 'beach body ready' posters on the tube a few years ago. Would be nice to replace it in my mind with this," said one Twitter user, adding the #Summerisourstoo. 

Just one day later, however, the artist was forced to apologise after the source of her images and font were revealed as being taken from at least two models and a graphic designer without having sought permission or agreed payment. 

ArteMapache said: "First of all I would like to publicly apologise to the models for having been inspired by their photographs for the “Summer is ours too” campaign and for having used an unlicensed typeface -[thinking it was free]."

She added that the fairest way forward would be to "distribute the benefits derived from this work in equal parts" and that she has only ever sought "inspiration" from the models. 

One of those who featured on the poster is a British activist and 'model with influence' Nyome Nicholas-Williams, who said she was unaware that her likeness had been used in the campaign until a follower spotted it. 

A post shared by Nyome Nicholas - Williams (@curvynyome)

Nicholas-Williams told Euronews she