He was painted a right-on hero this week for creating a statue of the Black Lives Matter protester, Jen Reid.
But has provocative artist Marc Quinn, who once made a bronze statue of supermodel Kate Moss in a compromising yoga position, been hoist by his own petard?
For I can reveal his latest work, A Surge Of Power, which was secretly erected on the Bristol plinth where the statue of slave trader Edward Colston used to stand, has also served to disgruntle a former lover.
Has provocative artist Marc Quinn, who once made a bronze statue of supermodel Kate Moss in a compromising yoga position, been hoist by his own petard?
In an astonishing disclosure, Jenny Bastet claims that he ‘exploited’ her throughout their two-year relationship, during which time she was also his muse.
‘Speaking from personal experience. Marc Quinn’s medium is exploitation,’ says Jenny, whose body inspired his 2017 exhibition, Untrimmed, in London.
‘My body was objectified by Marc. He is an oppressor.’
The 31-year-old dancer, pictured with the sculptor, was in a relationship with Marc — one of the trailblazing Young British Artists alongside Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst — for three years, overlapping with the end of his marriage to author Lady Georgia Byng, daughter of the Earl of Strafford.
When Jenny and Marc split in late 2017, friends claimed it was acrimonious. He went on to date another black model, Layla Powell, shortly after.
His latest work, A Surge Of Power, which was secretly erected on the Bristol plinth where the statue of slave trader Edward Colston used to stand, has also served to disgruntle a former lover
Taking to social media, Jenny writes: ‘My page is about to get really uncomfortable for some but the truth is always uncomfortable. You have gone too far, you will not silence me.’
Mr Quinn said last night: ‘Jenny and I broke up three years ago. During our relationship I devoted an entire exhibition to sculptures of her.
‘I worked on them for many months, every day and shared in their success. It’s hard to argue a charge of objectification.
‘I saw them as a celebration of her and our love and am very proud of the work, I am sorry she has come to feel otherwise.’
Jenny has been an active participant in the recent Black Lives Matter protests in London, and this month posted a picture of herself standing next to a statue of Nelson Mandela holding an LGBT flag.
Hairdressers may now be back in business, but platinum blonde TV and radio presenter Gaby Roslin tells how she enlisted the help of her husband — publisher David Osman — in lockdown to tend her grown out roots.
‘I discovered that my husband is a very good hair colourist. My wonderful hairdresser told me which dye to order, so I left my dark and greying roots to him. I’m thrilled with the results.’
Candles for Camilla
She recently said she loved her lockdown jeans but has since put her gladrags back on to return to royal duties.
The Duchess of Cornwall wore a blue dress by her favourite designer Anna Valentine for a new portrait by royal snapper Chris Jackson to mark her 73rd birthday today.
Duchess of Cornwall wore a blue dress by her favourite designer Anna Valentine for a new portrait by royal snapper Chris Jackson to mark her 73rd birthday
Camilla, who has been married to the Prince of Wales for 15 years, will be spending the day with her family at Ray Mill House, her private Wiltshire home.
She has spoken of how much she has been enjoying seeing her grandchildren after returning from Scotland, where she weathered the pandemic.
Countess reveals real life dramas of Downton
The Countess of Carnarvon, who lives at Highclere Castle where Downton Abbey was filmed, has re-opened her home to visitors this week.
She confesses lockdown has exacted its own personal toll on her as she struggled to keep her business afloat.While she had been living with her husband in the castle and three members of staff, Highclere’s 300 rooms have remained empty and most of its 150 retainers were put on furlough.
The Countess of Carnarvon, who lives at Highclere Castle (pictured) where Downton Abbey was filmed, has re-opened her home to visitors this week
‘I remember just looking and thinking “there’s zero money come in today”, and yet, like every other business, inevitably, outgoings,’ she says.
‘There were silly things like a ballcock broke on the water tank, then, of course, you can’t get a plumber . . . oh my God . . . Sometimes it‘s felt very lonely and very overwhelming.’
Lady Carnarvon revealed in April that she had given up on cleaning the 300 rooms because it was ‘too much’. Luckily, Mrs Carson will now be on hand to help out.
Forgetful Ulrika goes off her trolley
Wearing a face mask at the shop is the least of Ulrika Jonsson’s concerns. The TV star admits she forgot to pay for her groceries on a recent trip to Waitrose.
‘One of the managers, Brian, comes rushing up to me with a big grin on his face: “I need to speak to you. When you were here on Friday, you left without paying!”’ she recalls, having returned to the Oxfordshire branch this week.
TV star Ulrika Jonsson admits she forgot to pay for her groceries on a recent trip to Waitrose
Luckily, the mother of four got off lightly. ‘Oh, how we laughed. It’s the bloody staff. I can’t stop chatting and get distracted.
‘It’s a good job I’m a regular and love them all more than I love my family. At least I had my wallet out . . . so the CCTV says . . .’
Just call Maureen Lipman Two Dinners Maureen. For the actress confesses she often eats two meals in one go.
‘People think I’m slim . . . I just have a thin head, small wrists and ankles — the rest is blubber, trust me. My problem is that I eat everything. then I eat it again.
‘My favourite restaurant is Le Relais de Venise. They bring out steak, chips and wine and once you’ve finished, they give it to you all over again.
‘I only go twice a year because I know it goes straight from the eyes to the thighs.’
Hurrah! It’s Aunt Eugenie
Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, are hearing the pitter-patter of tiny feet as society re-emerges from lockdown.
Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, are hearing the pitter-patter of tiny feet as society re-emerges from lockdown
I can reveal that Jack’s younger brother, Tom — best man at their wedding in 2018 — has become a father.
The Old Etonian investment manager and his wife, fashion PR Amy Rodgers, are celebrating the birth of Wilfred Stamp Ewing Brooksbank.
‘Eugenie and Jack are delighted to become an aunt and uncle,’ says a friend. ‘They’re looking forward to spending time with the baby.’