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Action over 'indecent' Jesus art 'Indecent' Jesus to go on trial
(about 4 hours later)
A Christian group is taking an art centre to court, claiming it displayed an indecent statue of Jesus Christ. An art gallery is facing a trial at crown court over claims it displayed an indecent statue of Jesus Christ.
The artwork was part of an exhibition at Gateshead's Baltic Centre featuring several plaster figures with erections, including ET, Mickey Mouse and Jesus. The artwork was part of an exhibition at Gateshead's Baltic Centre featuring several plaster figures with erections.
Lawyers for Christian Emily Mapfuwa, 40, of Essex, are bringing a civil case for outraging public decency. A private prosecution is being brought by Christian group member Emily Mapfuwa, 40, of Essex, on the grounds the statue outraged public decency.
Northumbria Police investigated following Mrs Mapfuwa's complaint, but ruled there was no case to answer. The gallery elected to have the case sent to a higher court from Gateshead Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
The statue was part of Baltic's September 2007 to January 2008 exhibition by controversial Chinese-born artist Terence Koh, "Gone, Yet Still". This statue served no other purpose than to offend Christians and to denigrate Christ Christian Legal Centre spokesmanThe statue was part of Baltic's September 2007 to January 2008 exhibition by controversial Chinese-born artist Terence Koh, "Gone, Yet Still". This statue served no other purpose than to offend Christians and to denigrate Christ Christian Legal Centre spokesman
Signs warning of the exhibition's content were posted at the entrance to the gallery. Mrs Mapfuwa, of Brentwood, instructed her lawyers to seek a private prosecution against the gallery for outraging public decency and causing harassment alarm and distress to the public.
Mrs Mapfuwa, of Brentwood, said Baltic would not have dared depict Mohammed in such a way.
She is being represented by the Christian Legal Centre. A spokesman said: "This statue served no other purpose than to offend Christians and to denigrate Christ."
Godfrey Worsdale, who is due to take over as the gallery's director in November, said he could not comment on the legal action.Godfrey Worsdale, who is due to take over as the gallery's director in November, said he could not comment on the legal action.
'Good art'
But he told BBC Radio Newcastle: "Controversy has always been associated with modern art - the gallery has to make a judgement.
"If it is good art we have a responsibility to show it."
The action, brought under Section 5 of the Public Order Act, was adjourned at Gateshead Magistrates' Court following a legal hitch.
It is due to be heard again on 23 September.
Last year Northumbria Police began a child pornography investigation after a photograph owned by Sir Elton John was seized from an exhibition at the centre.Last year Northumbria Police began a child pornography investigation after a photograph owned by Sir Elton John was seized from an exhibition at the centre.
The photo, Klara and Edda Belly Dancing by American Nan Goldin, was withdrawn the day before it was due to go on display.The photo, Klara and Edda Belly Dancing by American Nan Goldin, was withdrawn the day before it was due to go on display.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided it was not indecent.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided it was not indecent.