Russell Brand has been dealt a fresh blow from behind bars, as a London museum made the unexpected move to remove part of an exhibit after his conviction for rape and sexual assault. The former comedian is currently serving 10-and-a-half years at HMP Wandsworth, with the “inhumane” conditions in the prison widely reported, including “urine lining the gutters” and rat faeces in showers.
Exhibit Removed From Display
Now he has been dealt a rather less serious blow, as the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & UnNatural History in Hackney, London, removed what was allegedly Brand’s pubic hair from public display. Wynd, the museum’s curator, confirmed: “I took them straight off display and have no desire to hear his name again – he has no place in my museum of horrors.”
He added to Variety: “My museum is full of disgusting things but even I have limits.” The curator now hopes to replace the hair with a memorial plate currently being auctioned on Instagram in support of Rape Crisis. The hairs are instead being donated to Littledean Jail, a crime museum in the Forest of Dean.
Museum's Curious Collection
The museum itself is a cabinet of curiosities, containing everything from taxidermy to doodles from prisoners. The authenticity of the pubic hair was never independently verified, but a woman submitted it to the museum after allegedly shaving Brand at a salon in Camden Town. Alongside the hair was a handwritten letter in which the woman described how she supposedly obtained it.
Also on display at the museum is a lock of Elvis Presley’s hair, condoms allegedly used by the Rolling Stones, and a severed penis. The move comes after Netflix refused to take down Brand’s stand-up comedy special from its streaming service. Russell Brand: Re:Birth will no longer appear in subscribers’ recommendations, but is available to search for on the platform.
Netflix's Decision Condemned
Netflix confirmed: “We prioritise choice and control for our members: the freedom to watch what, how and when you want, with recommendations and ratings to inform those choices.” The move was condemned by Fawcett Society chair Jill Greenfield, who said: “I don’t know who would want to watch that. They’re a broadcaster, they need to think about the audience, especially when there are further investigations going on.
“It’s upsetting for tons of people, particularly the victims. With a criminal conviction, it’s a wonder why you’d keep it up.”
