Explicit plaster Christ shocks Christians

British art gallery displays 18-inch statue of Christ with an erection …

 The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, England has offended Christians and visitors by exhibiting a statue showing Christ with an erection, reports the Sunday Times (January 6, 2008).

The sculpture is by Beijing-born artist Terence Koh and is part of an exhibition titled Gone, Yet Still and features 74 different plaster models of people of objects which the artist claims have been important in his life.

As well as the 18 inch state of Christ there are casts of Mickey Mouse and ET also with erections.

“For Christians the image of Jesus is very special and to interpret it in a sexualized way is an affront to what we hold dear,” said a local Roman Catholic priest. “While Jesus was a human being in every way, to portray him this way will offend.”

There are no plans to remove statue. “Koh is trying to explain all the things which have meant something to him,” said a gallery spokesman. “It is a sort of mausoleum.”

In September of last year the gallery made headlines again after police were called regarding complaints about a picture of two young naked girls in an exhibition by the American photographer Nan Goldin. It was owned by Sir Elton John, who then withdrew the picture.

> Source: TimesOnline.co.uk

> Beijing-born artist
Terrence Koh: Self-portrait