Gilbert & George ask: 'Was Jesus heterosexual?'
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Your support makes all the difference.The large and striking pictures glow with the rich colours of stained glass windows in a church.
But far from being works in praise of God, the panels are a bold attack on the evils of organised religion from Christianity to Islam and Judaism, with superstitious pixies and Freemasonry thrown in for good measure.
The 13 works, created since September, go on show at the White Cube gallery in London today and are the latest from Gilbert and George, the dapper-suited artists, now in their sixties, whose appearance belies the expletives and excrement which is a frequent feature of their work.
George, 63, insisted yesterday that he believed no Christian could be truly offended by the new series, entitled Sonofagod Pictures - Was Jesus Heterosexual? despite its use of traditional religious iconography in ways that could be deemed blasphemous.
"I don't think it will cause offence. We had a visit [at the studio] from the Bishop of Stepney, who was very polite and friendly. I think Christians should think themselves lucky that artists are dealing so closely with their subject. Picasso never did a crucifixion."
Gilbert, 62, added: "Religion is superstition, that's it. We don't like the dogma of religion."
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