Controversial Artwork - Essay Example

Making Controversial Artworks Full Ideas expressed through artworks beyond what is normally considered moral probably are the most controversial in the field of Arts. While photographic paintings and other performances that are aesthetically applauded are generally considered acceptable and commendable, those that portray the other side of beauty usually attract the attention of critics. Sometimes, it could be considered that what makes a modern artwork successful is the lunacy expressed in it that generally draws criticisms, consequently making an artwork famous, although not in a positive way.

Chris Ofili’s Holy Virgin Mary caught national attention in 1999 when it was exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum of Art because it portrayed a queer image of a woman incorporating sexually explicit cutouts covered with elephant dung (http://www.your3dsource.com). The title and the artwork itself, enraged the roman Catholic church and political figures who have high regard of the virgin Mary so that the exhibit was put to a halt and petitions were made between the officials and museum, with the latter winning its rights for its opening as well as its funding.

With the images included in the picture of a woman who cannot be acceptable as the Virgin Mary, it is considered defamation in the eyes of the religious people. The word ‘holy’ refers to one who is pure and clean, yet the painting mockingly portrayed its subject who was claimed as holy in its title, by surrounding it with things that symbolized filth like the elephant dung and images of buttocks. Art is indeed an expression of one’s self and expressing one’s self is a right to respect however, those who claim this right should also consider the rights of those whom they hurt because of their expressions.

Referencen.a. 2008. Chris Ofili’s “Holy Virgin Mary”. http://www.your3dsource.com: Animations and Web Design Resources. Retrieved from http://www.your3dsource.com/controversial artwork.html