Osama Bin Laden = Jesus Christ?

[Grimmlok]

(CBS) NEW YORK Is that who we think it is in that picture?

Our interest in this story was sparked by an angry email sent to us here at WCBSTV.com. The writer wasn't angry at us, but rather about what he'd seen at the current National Black Fine Art Show in the Puck Building. This is the 10th anniversary edition of the show which features galleries from across the country selling the works of America's top African American painters, sculptors, and photographers.

But the writer had big problems with a painting by Harlem artist "Tafa". It depicts an upside down Christ-like figure with a face strongly resembling Osama Bin Laden. The email read in part, "This is outrageous. This is an attack against my religion. How can an artist go so low? Most people are outraged, most Christians."

On the phone with me, the artist declined to do an on-camera interview, telling me the work speaks for itself, but adding, the resemblance to Bin Laden was no accident.

The art show's producer Josh Wainwright, insisted he hadn't even made the Bin Laden connection. "Knowing what you know now would you have barred the painting from being part of your show?" I asked. "Absolutely not," he replied. Wainwright says he's a military veteran and despises Bin Laden, but he added, "I don't think it's anyone's job or vocation to limit the expression of artists."

While some at the show did recognize the Bin Laden face on the Christ body, we found none who were offended. Instead most defended "Tafa" the artist's right to speak his mind. The painting is bordered with hand lettered expressions and names including "mujahadin," "McCarthyism," and "Amadou Diallo," a man killed by New York City police in 1999.

You could take the painting out of circulation, or not, for a mere $12,000 and change. You can see the painting, or not, by visiting the show which runs through Sunday. Daily admission is $15.

[Barbara]

Some people have too much time on their hands, talk about creating an issue where there was none

Besides, objectively speaking, I think Osama Bin Laden is a quite handsome man.

[Grimmlok]

Yeah, I think it's ridiculous when people can't accept or at least investigate a differing take on a subject. What's the harm? Is the painting actually causing any harm to said religion and said deity? No, of course not.

The painting is eliciting an emotional reaction, exactly as art is meant to do.. the problem is, people aren't willing to explore that emotional reaction and instead just clam up.

[ourmaninBusan]

This is not the first time someone has pointed out this coincidence:
Osama bears a striking resemblance to old paintings of the Wise men
who visited Jesus after his birth (not a great pic, but here).