'Mrs. Clinton's revealing dress' causes controversy in Australia

Street artist Lushsux painted US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in an American flag swimsuit, right in the middle of the street in Melbourne, Australia.

A picture of Hillary Clinton wearing a revealing swimsuit has caused controversy in Australia.

"This photo had already gone viral on social media. I just painted it on a public wall," Lushsux told CNN.

But as word spread about the provocative painting, local authorities in Melbourne threatened to fine and prosecute the building's owner if the painting was not removed, Nine News reported.

“We consider this offensive because it depicts a nearly naked woman, not because it is associated with Hillary Clinton,” said Stephen Wall, the City Council’s CEO.

Social network Instagram also temporarily suspended the account of the artist who posted this painting online.

In the end, the artist transformed Mrs. Clinton into a Muslim woman.

This made Lushsux think he needed to add something to the painting, and he added a few dollars stuffed into his swimsuit in protest.

"The dollars are in protest of Instagram deleting my account the day after I posted a picture of Hillary," he said.

But with the City Council threatening, Lushsux eventually decided to cover Hillary Clinton's "body" with a burqa, the traditional head covering worn by Muslim women.

"This is no longer a painting of a 'disgraced and nearly naked' Clinton, it is now a painting of a beautiful Muslim woman," the artist wrote on Instagram.

"No one is suggesting that this painting is offensive. If you find it offensive, you are a sexist, racist, Islamophobic…"

It's not just Mrs Clinton who has been a subject for artist Lushsux. He has previously painted (and then modified) Donald Trump, and his wife, Melania Trump, around Melbourne.

Previously, artist Lushsux painted a nude picture of billionaire Trump.

... and his wife, Melania Trump.

According to Dan Viet