Canvas art causes controversy
Published on: 30-Aug-2007
An Australian artist has caused outrage with her canvas artwork depicting terrorist Osama Bin Laden as Jesus.Priscilla Bracks claims that her work is not meant to be offensive but simply intends to show the complexities of good and evil.
The controversial piece is part of the Blake Prize, an Australian religious art competition, Ms Bracks told ABC radio: "I am not interested in being offensive.
"I am interested in having a discussion and asking questions about how we think about our world and what we accept and what we don't accept.
But Bracks piece isn't the only work that has caused a stir. A statue of the Virgin Mary, wearing a traditional Islamic burqa has also been widely criticised.
Australian prime minister John Howard called for both pieces to be barred from the contest. Commenting on the canvas he said: "The choice of such artwork is gratuitously offensive to the religious beliefs of many Australians."
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