Artist claims Instagram deleted her account over 'fat nude life drawing' of woman

She said she uploaded similar images in the past without issue

She was told the picture had been deleted for not following Instagram's terms of use (THOMAS COEX/AFP/GettyImages)

An artist has claimed Instagram deleted her account after she uploaded a picture of her drawing of a "fat life model".

Rebecca Harris said she was logged out of her account a few moments after uploading the drawing, receiving a message telling her it had been deleted for not following Instagram's terms of use.

Ms Harris told The Independent she thought it was "bizarre" and "ridiculous".

She shared a picture of the drawing on Twitter:

The artist says her whole account was closed, meaning she lost her followers and username. She says she uploaded similar images to Instagram in the past without issue.

Last year, Facebook refused to promote her work, saying it had violated their advertising guidelines by including "adult products or services, including toys, videos, or sexual enhancement products".

She suggested Instagram needs to change its policy towards pictures of art depicting nudity.

"There's a big difference between something being naked and something being nude," she said.

"Even if it was a photograph, there's a difference between something being sexually suggestive and it being a nude."

She added: "They should at least suspend your account until you can appeal it, or they can look into it in more detail.

"To delete the account and say you can never reopen it seems a bit harsh."

Ms Harris has since opened a new account on Instagram.

Instagram has been approached for comment.