Mandy Wilkinson has been named Britain’s Most Forged Artist, a title that she is more than willing to relinquish. It seems factories in China have been mass-producing prints they say are by Wilkinson, a Welsh artist who just last year landed gallery representation. Though the factories also reproduce the work of other artists — including Andy Warhol and Leonardo da Vinci — it seems none more than Wilkinson's. The artist learned of her popularity after she began receiving emails from around the world from buyers complimenting her work, which they had purchased from the factories for around £40 ($65); original works by Wilkinson generally cost upward of £2,000. She was further clued in by the fact that the fakes have her “signature” on the front of the pieces, where she herself never places it.

The factories credit Wilkinson’s “eye-catching style” with what makes her work so desirable. When contacted by the Independent, the Chinese Web site PaintingHere.com admitted that the works were recreated by their “talented artists” and nonchalantly stated that they would be available for delivery in two weeks. Authorities are investigating what, if any, action can be taken against the companies.

Read more at the Independent.