A Gateshead art gallery which exhibited a statue of Jesus Christ in a state of sexual arousal is facing court charged with outraging public decency.
The artwork was part of an exhibition at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art which featured dozens of plaster figures - also including Mickey Mouse and ET - in a similar pose.
Lawyers for Emily Mapfuwa, a 40-year-old Christian who was offended
by the artwork, will prosecute the gallery for outraging public decency and causing harassment, alarm and distress to the public.
Earlier this year, Mrs Mapfuwa contacted the Christian Legal Centre and sent a letter of complaint to Northumbria Police, asking for an investigation. She was informed by the police at the end of May that there was no case to answer.
The statue was part of Baltic's September 2007 to January 2008 exhibition by controversial Japanese artist Terence Koh "Gone, Yet Still".
Signs warning of the exhibition's content were posted at the entrance to the gallery.
A spokesman for the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting the prosecution, said Mrs Mapfuwa believes in freedom of expression, but said "this statue served no other purpose than to offend Christians and to denigrate Christ".
A spokesman for Baltic confirmed the gallery was facing a civil prosecution at Gateshead Magistrates' Court for a breach of Section 5 of the Public Order Act and offending public decency, the maximum penalty for which is six months in prison and a £5,000 fine.
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2008, All Rights Reserved.
Troll wrote:Lawyers for Emily Mapfuwa, a 40-year-old Christian who was offended by the artwork, will prosecute the gallery for outraging public decency and causing harassment, alarm and distress to the public.
She needs to chill the fuck out. She is also not going to win since she did nt have to go in and see it and there was a sign... This is stupid to no fucking end...
Does anyone have any happy news?
"Union Pacific train brings kids in Oakland a gondola of puppies and flowers, hope for a brighter future."
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Trying is the first step towards failure - H. Simpson
I don't know... I've been offended by Wal Mart commercials, and someone drinking Budweiser and never trying anything else...
And the Republican bullshit on TV lately. And Joe Lieberman's antics... But this Jesus 'artwork' sculpture? Gimme a break! Looks like ol JC is lettin it out for a bit o' fresh air...or ta relieve himself!
"Union Pacific train brings kids in Oakland a gondola of puppies and flowers, hope for a brighter future."
Unfortunately the train originated on the CN last March and was interchanged with the UP sometime in July. The puppies died first but no one noticed because the flowers masked their smell. After the flowers died, the trains priority dropped even further.
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Some people say I have a bad attitude. Those people are stupid.
