The Classes against the masses; wealthy locals object to artwork in Cornwall gallery as it ‘attacks’ them

“Stinking Rich: The Cost of Wealth,” an exhibition by award-winning artist Andrew Swan, has been hit with complaints by wealthy locals of Cornwall after claims that it attacks the rich. Those complaints have now led to a number of the artworks being withdrawn from the exhibition by the gallery, Trebah Gardens.

The works aimed to explore the impact that extreme wealth is having on both the environment and society, and focused on the activities of four British-based billionaires: James Dyson, Jim Ratcliffe, Kirsten Rausing and Denise Coates. The subjects are each represented on four plinths that resemble tomb covers and are accompanied by panels of information for the onlooker to interpret.

But staff at Trebah Gardens have cited that a number of visitors upset with the works led them to be taken down after deeming them “too depressing” or “too political” in nature. The artist, based in Penzance, Cornwall, said he was 'bewildered' at the action taken and the issues raised.

"I didn't expect to be following in the footsteps of the likes of Picasso, Manet and Duchamp, attracting such controversy! I love Trebah Gardens Gallery and the team there, I'm just a little bewildered that a few visitors found the topic of extreme wealth and the impact it is having on our environment and society so uncomfortable - especially during the current cost of living crisis” Swan told SWNS. "I think it probably says more about these people than any of my artwork!"

He added: "The explanation was that there had been a number of complaints from long-term members of Trebah Gardens who said that my work was 'depressing'."

However, the chief of the Trebah Garden Trust, Jon Cummins, said the site was trialling exhibitions and he had to "use my instincts, based on the feedback that I'd received. When people are coming to you and saying: 'This is outrageous,' or 'I don't think Trebah should have it,' or 'It's too political', then I thought that perhaps I need to take some action.”

"We’d like to be clear; the request to remove this piece is in no way a judgement on the quality of Andrew Swan’s work, or any other artworks on display within the ‘In This Together’ Exhibition, which we are delighted to host.

"Our priority has always been the garden visit and to provide an enjoyable and welcoming experience for everyone at Trebah. Trebah is renowned for its garden, which attracts many thousands of visitors annually, but part of our charitable purpose also relates to education, art and science, which is the reason we have been trialling exhibitions in 2023.”