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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Christ_Osama_causes_stir_in_Australia/rssarticleshow/2324786.cms
SYDNEY: Artworks depicting Osama bin Laden in a Christ-like pose and a
statue of the Virgin Mary covered in a burqa have caused a stir in Australia
after they were showcased in a prestigious religious art competition.
Bearded Orientals: Making the Empire Cross by Priscilla Bracks is a "double
vision" print that depicts both Jesus and Osama, while Luke Sullivan's The
Fourth Secret of Fatima is a statue of Mary, her head and torso obscured by
a blue burqa like the one Afghan women had to wear under the militant
Taliban.
The artworks were among more than 500 entries in the Blake Prize for
Religious Art, and have been included in an exhibition at the National Art
School in Sydney.
"The choice of such artwork is gratuitously offensive to the religious
beliefs of many Australians," Australian PM John Howard said on Thursday.
Opposition Labour leader Kevin Rudd also criticised the artwork. "I accept
you know people can have artistic freedom, but I find this painting off, off
in the extreme. I understand how people would be offended by it," he said.
Australia's 20 million population is overwhelmingly Christian and the print
was condemned by the Australian Christian Lobby.
