Local artist’s ‘Brokeback Cameron’ ban

A local artist’s print of half naked David Cameron and Nick Clegg dressed as cowboys has been banned from a Wrexham Gallery.

 

Brian Jones, from Llanfyllin, told the BBC his piece was just a “bit of fun” but Wrexham Council has labelled it ‘inappropriate’ as it breached strict guidelines in the run-up to next month’s Welsh Assembly elections.

 

The print (pictured) has been removed from Wrexham Print International 2011 at Oriel Wrecsam despite it being one of two selected to appear by the exhibition’s organisers.

 

Mr Jones is not impressed and told the BBC: "It's censorship, there's no two ways about it. It's not party political, I'm not on a mission to topple the (UK) government, it's just the backdrop to what's going on with job losses, prices going up and cuts.

 

"I was just trying to raise a smile in the midst of all this."

 

Mr Jones said he was inspired by the film Brokeback Mountain, which became a Hollywood hit for telling the story of a secret relationship between two gay cowboys.

 

The print shows the Prime Minister and his deputy wearing cowboy hats, jackets and boots, but they are not wearing trousers.

 

It has not impressed the council bigwigs with Alan Watkin, chief leisure, libraries and culture officer at the council, saying: "In the run up to an election the authority has to follow strict guidance issued by central government. As the work of art in question was a satire on two political parties contesting the National Assembly elections it would be inappropriate for it to feature in the show."

 

Mr Jones still has another piece of art featured at the exhibition entitled ‘Eyeless on Gaza’. More of his work can be seen at www.artofbrianjones.com.