See the Most Controversial Depictions of Jesus in Art

ARTNET | NEWS
By Jake Brodsky
Marianela and Pool Paolini, "Ken Jesus Christ" (2014). Photo: via The Christian Post.
Although one can't really be blamed for thinking that Christmas is all about the mountains of gifts and food, the fact remains that this holiday is, in its origins at least, a celebration of the birth of baby Jesus (remember?) And, indeed, the figure of Jesus is a staple of art history. Although he was depicted along relatively similar lines over the course of two millennia, many contemporary artists have taken a more liberal (some say outrageous) approach to the task. artnet News brings you some of these controversial images, offering a spiky alternative to the usual nativity scenes.  [View]

  1. Andres Serrano, "Piss Christ" (1987)
  2. David Wojnarowicz, "A Fire in My Belly" (1987)
  3. Marianela Perelli and Pool Paolini, "Ken Jesus Christ" (2014)
  4. Sebastian Errazuriz,  "Christian Popsicles" (2012)
  5. Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin, "Last Supper" (1998)
  6. Elías García Martínez, restored by Cecilia Giménez, "Ecce Homo" (ca. 1930/2012)
  7. Mideo Cruz, "Poleteismo" (2002–11)
  8. Avdey Ter-Oganyan,  "Young Atheist" (1998)
  9. Alexander Kosolapov, "This Is My Blood" (2001)
  10. David Mach, "Jesus Christ" (2011)
  11. Timothy Schmalz, "Homeless Jesus" (2013–14)
  12. Ronald Harrison, "The Black Christ" (1962)
  13. Cosimo Cavallaro, "My Sweet Lord" (2007)