Naked Christ
by Michele Coxon
Shrewsbury’s second Visual Arts Festival, launched yesterday, has already caused wide-spread controversy in the town as sculptures of a ‘Naked Christ’ and ‘Lucifer’ are unveiled.
Artists Neil Kenny has a ‘scary’ installation of Lucifer on top of the old cinema building in Wyle Cop, while Michele Coxon has come under the spotlight for depicting Jesus Christ with genitalia.
Edward Norman of Sutton Road said he had had the fright of his life when he looked up and saw ‘Lucifer’ looking down on him, and he thought it would be even more frightening for children.
Clive Sheffield, from the Sleep Shop, in Wyle Cop said: “It’s a bit macabre really but it certainly catches the eye and adds character to the town.”
Daniel Callaghan, from Manser Callaghan Fine Paintings, said: “It’s a bit of fun but I like the fish on the Emstrey Island better. I'm not sure I’d want it there on a permanent basis though.”
Neil Kenny said Lucifer was one of three sculptures he had installed in town for the festival, and it had been difficult to find someone prepared to house it.
“The logo above the sculpture of Lucifer proclaims ‘banners of the king of hell advance’. Luckily however, the Lord of Light is looking over us from the tower of St Julian’s church, and there is a sculpture of the garden of Eden in Waterstone’s window.
“I am playing out the theme of ‘Choice’. I have arranged these sculptures in the format of a question – good or bad? the choice is yours!”
Visitors have given a mixed reaction to Michele Coxon’s Naked Christ and comments, both favourable and critical, have been scribbled in the guests book.
A warden for the church, who did not wish to be identified, said people had taken more offence at Ms Coxon’s sculpture than at another being displayed alongside, called The Gatekeeper, that is apparently of the devil. “People are taking offence because of the genitalia of Christ being on show and we have had all sorts of comments in the visitor’s book,” she said. “It is really causing quite a stir.”
Ms Coxon, a member of Shrewsbury and District Arts Association and a children’s author, said the sculpture was inspired by Michelangelo’s wood crucifix The Naked Christ.
“I wanted the image of a man who had suffered and whose earthly body is decaying,” she said.
Staff at the Gateway Education and Arts Centre, where the Naked Christ was shown in March, said they had not received any complaints during the run of the exhibition and had not felt the sculpture to be controversial.