Gateshead gallery sued for blasphemy by middle-aged Christian

Tuesday, 9th September 2008

Updated on Monday 8th September
Written by Francesca Cookney

The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts this week put forward a plea of not guilty in response to charges of outraging public decency.

The case, presented by 40-year-old Emily Mapfuwa, was sparked by an exhibition by Chinese artist Terence Koh which featured plaster statues of 'iconic' characters such as Mickey Mouse and ET with huge erections - all of which might have been fine were it not for the inclusion of a Jesus figure among their number.

An outraged Ms Mupfuwa first complained to the Northumbria police earlier this year before managing to obtain funding from the Christian Legal Centre to launch a private prosecution. Having previously backed Stephen Green in his campaign against Jerry Springer – The Opera, the CLC have voiced their full support for Ms Mupfuwa's opinion that Koh's statuette serves "no purpose than to offend Christians and denigrate Christ."

Ms Mupfuwa herself claims not to have any problem with freedom of expression but points out that the gallery would not have dared include such a depiction of the Islamic prophet Mohammed.

Meanwhile she intends to put forward the example of an artist and shop owner who in the early 90s were convicted of the same charges over a sculpture made of foetuses in the hope of furthering her argument. The case has now been adjourned until the end of September.

Please add your comment here. Your Name *: Email (private) *: Town : Country :

Quick Links