‘Depressing’ artworks of billionaires taken down 

Four artworks examining the impact of extreme wealth on the environment and society have been removed from a Cornwall exhibition following complaints. 

Artist Andrew Swan and Jon Cummins, Chief Executive Officer of the Trebah Garden Trust where the works were on display, confirmed they had been removed because visitors found them 'depressing'.

The works, entitled Stinking Rich: The Cost of Wealth, depicted the fictional tombstones of four billionaires, alongside “panels of information for the onlooker to interpret”, the artist said.

They aimed to explore "the impact that extreme wealth is having on our environment and society”, he said, adding that he was “a little bewildered” that visitors found the topic so uncomfortable, especially during the cost-of-living crisis.

“I think it probably says more about these people than any of my artwork,” he said.

Cummins said the site was currently trialling exhibitions and the pieces were taken down after feedback from visitors.

“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”, he told the BBC.