Powys werewolf-huntsman artist has Facebook account hacked

Jo Oddie, from Llanafan Fawr, made headlines around the globe back in July 2021 when her artwork, entitled ‘Karma’ – a vivid painting of a red-coated huntsman being dismembered by a gigantic werewolf – was pulled from an exhibition at a gallery in Llanwrtyd Wells, after one visitor left a complaint in the visitors’ book at the venue.

Jo Oddie, pictured with her original piece, entitled 'Karma', which caused such a stir back in 2021 (Image: None)

Jo’s story went viral, and gained her a lot of new followers and work - but also brought a wave of negative comments and unwanted attention.

“I am heartbroken at what has happened to me,” said Jo following the breach of her page – which has 15,000 followers – in January.

“I have worked very hard at developing a wonderful community on my page and I run my artist business from there.

“My personal profile page was hacked and to avoid further hacking Facebook cut my business page off from me."

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Jo's business page – which features her quirky side, including imaginary conversations with her dog Alan - has now been returned to her, but has also had further online rows over hunting.

Another example of Jo Oddie's work. (Image: None)

“I’m not sure how evil hunters are. But I did put a post up portraying my feelings on hunting, which got 1,500 responses," said the 58-year-old.

“Sadly, that evening, within hours of posting my feelings regarding the horrors of fox hunting, a dead fox appeared at the top of my driveway.

"I wasn’t frightened but I do live on my own so got the police involved.

“I also put the Karma painting on the new page I set up one night and boosted it to give me a kickstart, then in the middle of the night I discovered it had got a lot of likes, around 500. But then it got shut down for advertising reasons.

This painting, entitled 'Nemesis', is this prequel to Karma (Image: None)

“That painting went all over the world. How can it suddenly now be unacceptable? Maybe Facebook have tightened up on content but it left me in a frantic state.”

Normality resumed by early February, and the old account was unfrozen.

“I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who commented with their thoughts on the post I put on my page, which clearly states how opposed I am to fox hunting,” added Jo.

“I am particularly grateful to those from farming backgrounds who commented and private messaged me, it is encouraging to hear that so many farmers find fox hunting abhorrent too.”

Dyfed Powys Police confirmed the October 2022 incident, explaining an investigation had been opened, but had since closed due to a lack of evidence.

"We received a report of a fox carcass being left outside a property in Llanafanfawr, near Builth Wells, the previous day on October 24, 2022," said the force in a statement.

"Officers carried out initial enquiries, however, due to a lack of evidence the matter was closed."