It may have a reputation as the city of the dirty weekend but an erotic boutique’s burlesque mural has been branded too raunchy for Brighton’s liberal streets.
Artwork of nipple tassel-clad women has adorned the walls of the recently rebranded She Said Emporium since last week.
But yesterday the women were made to cover up – after complaints to the shop’s owner that it was offensive.
Owner Nic Ramsey said she was forced to paint over the artwork after two women complained.
A painting of Laura Nixon, a Brighton-based Marilyn Monroe look alike, with nipple tassels and a multicoloured fan has adorned the wall for years.
So has an animal mural of the Garden of Eden with insects “bonking” and bugs having threesomes.
Ms Ramsey said: “It’s crazy – not least because we have had a virtually identical photo of our fan girl for nearly six years.
“It breaks my heart and for the artist Req to have to cover up his work is horrible.”
About 20 women donned nipple tassels to protest against the loss of the mural before it was painted over yesterday.
Ms Ramsey added: “If it was a canvas or we hung a picture it would be a piece of art. They are sexy images but there is no nudity on show.
“We made sure there were no nipples showing or anything like that.
“Brighton is a fantastic, liberal city. I wouldn’t mind if I hadn’t had a picture on the same place for five years.
“I can wear nipple tassels and walk down the street and no one would be offended.”
The new painting was part of Tickles’ rebranding as part of the She Said Emporium.
Vanessa Austin Locke, from the business, said the new store would be “more playful” than the other three shops in the chain in Ship Street Gardens.
She added: “We’re just expanding since the success of 50 Shades of Grey. Everyone wants to explore their sexuality a bit more. It’s a real revolution.”
Comments
I don't see why anything should change just because two people complained. More than that have complained about the C of E's rejection of women bishops but that hasn't changed.
What about all the people that admired and complimented the artwork? How come that doesn't get taken into account.
I don't see why anything should change just because two people complained. More than that have complained about the C of E's rejection of women bishops but that hasn't changed.
What about all the people that admired and complimented the artwork? How come that doesn't get taken into account.
Free publicity stunt?
Free publicity stunt?
If more than 2 people say they liked the picture rather than saying they're offended by it, would it be restored? If so, add my name to the "support" list. I saw it the other day & I think it's beautiful.
If more than 2 people say they liked the picture rather than saying they're offended by it, would it be restored? If so, add my name to the "support" list. I saw it the other day & I think it's beautiful.
Does this mean we can stop that nude bike ride if two people complain ?
Does this mean we can stop that nude bike ride if two people complain ?
For goodness sake. If you go onto the beach in the summer there are people getting everything out willy-nilly and I've seen a number of people having drunken se* in broad daylight on the main beach and no-one says a word.
Although I've heard that if you start eating meat on the beach that's no longer allowed.
For goodness sake. If you go onto the beach in the summer there are people getting everything out willy-nilly and I've seen a number of people having drunken se* in broad daylight on the main beach and no-one says a word.
Although I've heard that if you start eating meat on the beach that's no longer allowed.
Jesus people just need to chill out. A painting on the wall of a woman with nipple tassels - so what!
These two women need to get a life.
Jesus people just need to chill out. A painting on the wall of a woman with nipple tassels - so what!
These two women need to get a life.
ohh ffs
ohh ffs
how ridiculous!! it's ok to have half naked people wandering around during Pride, but not to have that painting??
how ridiculous!! it's ok to have half naked people wandering around during Pride, but not to have that painting??
Honey68 wrote…
how ridiculous!! it's ok to have half naked people wandering around during Pride, but not to have that painting??
I'm guessing they're the type of people who would also complain about Pride.
But yes, it doesn't do much for Brighton's liberal and easy-going reputation. And don't even get me started on that DISGUSTING mural of two policemen kissing that was on the wall of the Albert? Won't someone think of the children? yada yada chunter chunter ...
Honey68 wrote…
how ridiculous!! it's ok to have half naked people wandering around during Pride, but not to have that painting??
I'm guessing they're the type of people who would also complain about Pride.
But yes, it doesn't do much for Brighton's liberal and easy-going reputation. And don't even get me started on that DISGUSTING mural of two policemen kissing that was on the wall of the Albert? Won't someone think of the children? yada yada chunter chunter ...
We're missing the important point here. Burlesque is just stripping for ugly birds. So yeah, ban the mural.
We're missing the important point here. Burlesque is just stripping for ugly birds. So yeah, ban the mural.
Surely the headline should have read 'Burlesque boobs ban at Brighton BOUTIQUE' to keep up the alliteration? Ahhh, for the glory days of local rag editing...
Surely the headline should have read 'Burlesque boobs ban at Brighton BOUTIQUE' to keep up the alliteration? Ahhh, for the glory days of local rag editing...
magoo wrote…
We're missing the important point here. Burlesque is just stripping for ugly birds. So yeah, ban the mural.
Yeah right...
You've clearly not met some of them then have you - you ignorant buffoon.
But I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
magoo wrote…
We're missing the important point here. Burlesque is just stripping for ugly birds. So yeah, ban the mural.
Yeah right...
You've clearly not met some of them then have you - you ignorant buffoon.
But I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Honey68 wrote…
how ridiculous!! it's ok to have half naked people wandering around during Pride, but not to have that painting??
I agree and all those gay fun shops on St James st arent exactly holding back are they!
Honey68 wrote…
how ridiculous!! it's ok to have half naked people wandering around during Pride, but not to have that painting??
I agree and all those gay fun shops on St James st arent exactly holding back are they!
Maxwell's Ghost wrote…
For goodness sake. If you go onto the beach in the summer there are people getting everything out willy-nilly and I've seen a number of people having drunken se* in broad daylight on the main beach and no-one says a word.
Although I've heard that if you start eating meat on the beach that's no longer allowed.
Typical misery from the Argus Comments Section's very own Dignitas case.
Maxwell's Ghost wrote…
For goodness sake. If you go onto the beach in the summer there are people getting everything out willy-nilly and I've seen a number of people having drunken se* in broad daylight on the main beach and no-one says a word.
Although I've heard that if you start eating meat on the beach that's no longer allowed.
Typical misery from the Argus Comments Section's very own Dignitas case.
More nipples please, we're British!
More nipples please, we're British!
So why the sudden "need" to remove a mural that had been there for years because of two complaints?
I think the "story" (the one the owners wanted to get across anyway) is nicely encapsulated in the last three paragraphs.
Wake up people!!
So why the sudden "need" to remove a mural that had been there for years because of two complaints?
I think the "story" (the one the owners wanted to get across anyway) is nicely encapsulated in the last three paragraphs.
Wake up people!!
Andy R wrote…
So why the sudden "need" to remove a mural that had been there for years because of two complaints?
I think the "story" (the one the owners wanted to get across anyway) is nicely encapsulated in the last three paragraphs.
Wake up people!!
You might be right Andy, they probably complained about it themselves to get the publicity and in fact Brighton isn't in the grip of religious nutters (unlike Eastbourne with its 'saucy postcard' ban). Ah well, job done in that case.
Andy R wrote…
So why the sudden "need" to remove a mural that had been there for years because of two complaints?
I think the "story" (the one the owners wanted to get across anyway) is nicely encapsulated in the last three paragraphs.
Wake up people!!
You might be right Andy, they probably complained about it themselves to get the publicity and in fact Brighton isn't in the grip of religious nutters (unlike Eastbourne with its 'saucy postcard' ban). Ah well, job done in that case.
So the story is boo hoo, someone wont let me 'express my middle class-ness'?!
We all have to live with a certain amount of consideration for others - its called 'a society'. People like this 'lady' think everyone should put up with all their 'quirks' (ie, rude / selfish behaviour). Get over it.
Must be slow news day.
So the story is boo hoo, someone wont let me 'express my middle class-ness'?!
We all have to live with a certain amount of consideration for others - its called 'a society'. People like this 'lady' think everyone should put up with all their 'quirks' (ie, rude / selfish behaviour). Get over it.
Must be slow news day.
What's going on in that photo? Is the man wearing nipple tassles too?
What's going on in that photo? Is the man wearing nipple tassles too?
magoo wrote…
We're missing the important point here. Burlesque is just stripping for ugly birds. So yeah, ban the mural.
Too funny:) and fat!
magoo wrote…
We're missing the important point here. Burlesque is just stripping for ugly birds. So yeah, ban the mural.
Too funny:) and fat!
If you really want to be offended,have a walk up Dukes Mound at midnight!
If you really want to be offended,have a walk up Dukes Mound at midnight!
with out nipples there is no point to T1ts
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit wrote…
Honey68 wrote…
how ridiculous!! it's ok to have half naked people wandering around during Pride, but not to have that painting??
But yes, it doesn't do much for Brighton's liberal and easy-going reputation. And don't even get me started on that DISGUSTING mural of two policemen kissing that was on the wall of the Albert? Won't someone think of the children? yada yada chunter chunter ...
I chundered when I thought of the children.
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit wrote…
Honey68 wrote…
how ridiculous!! it's ok to have half naked people wandering around during Pride, but not to have that painting??
But yes, it doesn't do much for Brighton's liberal and easy-going reputation. And don't even get me started on that DISGUSTING mural of two policemen kissing that was on the wall of the Albert? Won't someone think of the children? yada yada chunter chunter ...
I chundered when I thought of the children.
this reeks of a PR stunt. There is nothing in the law to stop them. They are not naked.
this reeks of a PR stunt. There is nothing in the law to stop them. They are not naked.
http://goo.gl/7LtyB
She Said Boutique are a bunch of liars. I got them to admit on twitter that they weren't BANNED - They were ASKED by their neighbours to take it down and simply used it as an opportunity to create some headlines and sell more ****.
Idiots. I'd be curious about what they told the Argus journalists...
http://goo.gl/7LtyB
She Said Boutique are a bunch of liars. I got them to admit on twitter that they weren't BANNED - They were ASKED by their neighbours to take it down and simply used it as an opportunity to create some headlines and sell more ****.
Idiots. I'd be curious about what they told the Argus journalists...