Andrew Swann artwork removed from Trebah Garden in Cornwall

Penzance-based artist Andrew Swan was reportedly quite taken aback to learn that his award-winning exhibition had been banned by Trebah Gardens Gallery near Falmouth, Cornwall.

The artwork, entitled 'Stinking Rich: The Cost of Wealth,' explores the impact that extreme wealth is having on our environment and society. It is an intentionally thought-provoking piece, questioning privilege, responsibility, and consequences, which focuses on the activities of four billionaires based in Great Britain: James Dyson, Jim Ratcliffe, Kirsten Rausing, and Denise Coates.

The four are each represented on four plinths that resemble tomb covers and are accompanied by panels of information for the onlooker to interpret.

Andrew Swan, who is a member of the Newlyn Society of Artists and co-founder of The Penzance Festival of Art, said: "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.

"I think it probably says more about these people than any of my artwork!"

The artwork in question (Image: Andrew Swan)

Jon Cummins, Chief Executive Officer at Trebah Gardens, said: "Following several complaints from visitors and Trebah Garden members, we took the decision to ask the curators to remove Andrew Swan’s piece ‘Stinking Rich’ from display on 2 August.

"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. 

"In This Together has been curated by two of the artists involved, with the objective of the exhibition to create constructive conversation around climate change and to provide an additional experience for garden visitors within a large indoor space previously used for retail.

"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. This exhibition is one of a number we have hosted so far this year.

"The ‘In This Together’ exhibition remains open until Saturday 19 August. We remain very grateful to all the artists involved in this exhibition and to the curators for their efforts in bringing these works to Trebah."