A crucified ape and a black Jesus sitting on an electric chair are on show at an art exhibition in a former church.
Black Christ 2008 by Paul Fryer
The Privilege of Dominion 2009 by Paul Fryer
The controversial works are part of a wider exhibition of 60 pieces that are being shown for two weeks from Wednesday at the former Holy Trinity Church, now known as One Marylebone, in central London.
The exhibition featuring 16 artists, called The Age of Marvellous, coincides with the Frieze Art Fair in nearby Regent's Park.
Organisers say the exhibition is designed to “integrate areas of human knowledge that exist outside the boundaries of traditional art making”.
Among the more controversial pieces on display in the historic church, which was built in 1825 by Sir John Soane, are two from Paul Fryer, whose works include an ape being crucified on a cross and a waxwork of a black Jesus being electrocuted.
In a promotional brochure he admitted the images were “provocative”.
"(The gorilla artwork) is a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect those who are least able to protect themselves," he said.
"It features an image which I obviously realise is provacative but which I hope may evoke sadness and compassion as well as outrage.
"It would be a pity if it were to represent what we had failed to protect and the things we had lost forever as a result of that failure. Time will tell I suppose."
Joe La Placa, the curator, defended the exhibition, saying it was designed to inspire people to think and understand “deeper meanings”.
The director of All Visual Arts admitted some people would be shocked by the exhibition but rejected suggestions it was designed purely to shock.
The curator, 49, dismissed such claims as “ridiculous” and “shallow”, adding that art should “create curiosity and promote learning”.
He said the ape sculpture was designed to get people how to think how and why primates were disappearing while the Jesus sculpture got visitors thinking about how he died.
“It inspires you to connect to your maximum ability to learn and connect… I think great art heightens that,” he said.
“You don’t want to be bored, you want to be excited and say ‘wow, what’s that’. Hopefully it catches you.
“An exhibition that is just shock horror leaves you empty but great art grabs you and they make you think deeper.”
Church art exhibition includes crucified ape and black Jesus on electric chair - Telegraph
Church art exhibition includes crucified ape and black Jesus on electric chair
Linear Mode
