Today, one of my paintings was accepted into a local art gallery. It would've been a dream come true, had my "best friend" not submitted it under her own name and taken all the credit. FML
Ive done some drawings of my own in the past in which I wasn't able to put a signature small enough but distinguishable (with the medium I used). While it's a good idea, you sometimes can't put one in there. Or you forget.
Sign the back. Document the process. Have a few witnesses. I feel terrible about the insane level of injustice OP experienced, I really do. However, it is a bit of a YDI for failing to protect their creation. Want to bet Mrs. Rowling filed for a copyright before the proverbial ink dried on her first book?
I sign the back, put my mark on the front (my initials intertwined), and if it's a particularly good painting? I'll spit in the paint. They can DNA test my bloody painting if they don't believe it's mine. :P
#2, I would SO buy an authentic Fucking Cuntbag, no matter how awful the painting part was. I'd show it off with a little spotlight illuminating the signature!
That's hilarious, 4!! Also, OP, all you have to do is discuss the matter (discreetly) with the gallery management. If there is even a HINT that they are displaying stolen or plagiarized work, they will take it down and investigate immediately.
I'm seriously hoping you were there at this point. Unless you're not old enough to drive where you live, could you not have proven the painting was yours with a license when the judges came to see it... or something like that?