Artist Keeps Obama Painting Under Wraps After Public Outrage
2009-04-27 04:28pm
An American artist has cancelled the public unveiling of his controversial painting of US President Barack Obama due to a massive public outcry.
Michael D'Antuono's artwork The Truth depicts President Obama appearing much like Jesus Christ on the cross, with a crown of thorns atop his head, while behind him a dark veil is being lifted, or lowered, onto the Presidential Seal.
Publicity surrounding the planned unveiling of the painting at NYC's Union Square Park on Friday to mark President Obama's 100th day in office was picked up by newspapers across the United States, and photos of the artwork became one of the most emailed pictures on the internet.
However, D'Antuono says the unveiling has been cancelled, "in part on thousands of emails and phone calls; online blogs and other public commentary received in the first 48 hours following its release" last Friday.
The artist insists that the work was intended purely as a political piece.
"The religious reference was used metaphorically and not to insult anyone's religious beliefs. If that is the effect that my art has had on anyone, I am truly sorry," says D'Antuono.
(c) NewsRoom 2009
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