A Portrait of Pope Benedict ... Made Out of Condoms

April 17, 2013

A Portrait of Pope Benedict ... Made Out of Condoms

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Tahlib

Frontside of the condom portait of the pope

WISCONSIN--Retired Pope Benedict was a strident opponent of the use of condoms in the fight against AIDS in Africa, and in 2009 he said "the problem cannot be overcome by the distribution of prophylactics: on the contrary, they increase it." In response, Niki Johnson, an artist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin created a unique portrait, "Eggs Benedict" (Video) of the pope using 17,000 non-lubricated condoms. During his retirement years (beginning Feb. 2013), he is known as His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pope emeritus.

Backside of portrait with view of condoms

Comments

Ernest Disney-Britton said…

While I applaud Niki Johnson's protest portrait as part of a long tradition in religious art to assert a distinct theological position. In fact, I happen to agree with her however I also see the pope's position as the head of the Roman Catholic Church he was sworn to defend the principles of the institution and for him, this was not so much about AIDS as it was about traditional marriage, fidelity and procreation. Both Benedict and Johnson should be applauded for their efforts.

Wed Apr 17, 02:00:00 PM EDT