Art and Spirituality- Andres Serrano

Andres Serrano
piss christ, 1987

Piss christ is a photograph of a crucifix immersed in the artists urine. The work was seen as a mockery of christianity and become the centre in a political controversy over government funding in the arts as Serrano was issued a $15000 grant for the work, part of which was tax-payer funded. The work also caused an outrage in the public and religious extremists; the artist receieved hate mail, death threats and lost future grants as a result of the controversy. The work was also vandalised at the national gallery of victoria, Australia. Supporters argued the controversy over piss christ was an issue of artistic freedom and freedom of speech.