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Home / World

Melbourne graffiti artist Lushsux's Instagram account deleted in 'politically-motivated censorship' after risque murals

news.com.au
29 Jul, 2016 05:35 AM3 mins to read

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Lushsux's depictions of the US presidential candidates has invoked the ire of higher powers in Instagram. Photo / Twitter

Lushsux's depictions of the US presidential candidates has invoked the ire of higher powers in Instagram. Photo / Twitter

The Instagram account of Melbourne graffiti artist Lushsux has been deleted by the social media giant overnight in what he claims is "politically-motivated censorship".

The anonymous artist has made headlines recently following huge murals of social media celebrities including Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian.

Gee I wonder who may be behind the deletion of @lushsux #lushsux https://t.co/0mGwJy2zOe

— @lushsux (@lushsux) July 28, 2016

In the past week, he has delved into politics with a topless mural of Melania Trump featuring the Clinton campaign slogan, "I'm with her" and a picture of the official Democratic nominee in a racy stars-and-stripes swimsuit. Other murals have depicted Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, including one of Trump and Clinton locked in a passionate kiss.

When your both pieces of shit but it works. pic.twitter.com/JIsPv6mUl3

— @lushsux (@lushsux) July 28, 2016
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Stupid sexy Hillary #ImWithHer #ripharambe #hillary pic.twitter.com/aHt16OECsf

— @lushsux (@lushsux) July 24, 2016

However overnight, the Melbourne artist who has worked with famous UK artist Banksy said his account was mysteriously deleted without any communication from Instagram.

"I think it was because of the Hillary Clinton mural I painted in Melbourne," he said. "I have painted multiple Trump related murals with no issues, I think its politically-motivated censorship as the image was beginning to go viral."

"To make it worse, there is absolutely no way to reach out to them. They obscure any contact information."

Instagram and Hillary Clinton's campaign have been contacted for comment. The mystery disappearance comes in the same week that it was reported Instagram handed Taylor Swift the ability to delete negative comments en masse following her public spat with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West over permission for him to rap about her in his song Famous.

However, it appears Lushsux has taken up a second Instagram account which hasn't been deleted.

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When they delete your instagram account... New one up https://t.co/h8jEbC5Y4z pic.twitter.com/diuJ2PbhcS

— @lushsux (@lushsux) July 28, 2016

Lushsux's satirical depictions of social media and political stars have earned him a huge audience in recent days after being featured on the likes of TMZ.

The anonymous artist said he chooses his subjects based on "who deserves the piss taken out of them at the time or if they are meme worthy".

His favourite person to paint is "god emperor Donald J Trump" and he said his work is always designed to provoke.

"It's designed to get a rise mostly, what's the fun in something that doesn't get peoples panties in a twist?"

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