Obama Painting Raising Eyebrows
By: Jonathan Hall, WHDH
Updated: November 28, 2012
(WHDH) An artist's shocking painting of President Barack Obama has many talking at Bunker Hill Community College.
Some used words like disrespectful, blasphemous and shameful to describe the painting, but the man behind the image used just one word: Art.
The painting shows President Obama in a Christ-like pose, as if nailed to a cross, with a crown of thorns on top of his head.
The painted, titled "The Truth," is on display at Bunker Hill Community College's art gallery.
"It was meant as a political piece, not really a religious piece at all," said artist Michael D'Antuono.
Some have called it blasphemy.
"It means that the president was being crucified for whatever he said," said D'Antuono.
The college said people who see the painting in person have not complained, but they do acknowledge fielding mostly out-of-state complaints on the phone and via email.
"I don't think we're sorry about anything in this exhibit. I think this exhibit was intended to provoke discussion. It was intended to get people thinking," said Stephanie Schorow, Bunker Hill Community College Spokesperson.
D'Antuono said it is the Christian right which is fueling the debate. He makes no apologies for exercising his right to free speech.
"Jesus wasn't the only one crucified and I'm pretty sure that if he came down now and looked around I don't think he'd be too upset with me," said D'Antuono.
The painting will be displayed at Bunker Hill Community College through December 15.
Read more: http://bit.ly/Y59GLu
Some used words like disrespectful, blasphemous and shameful to describe the painting, but the man behind the image used just one word: Art.
The painting shows President Obama in a Christ-like pose, as if nailed to a cross, with a crown of thorns on top of his head.
The painted, titled "The Truth," is on display at Bunker Hill Community College's art gallery.
"It was meant as a political piece, not really a religious piece at all," said artist Michael D'Antuono.
Some have called it blasphemy.
"It means that the president was being crucified for whatever he said," said D'Antuono.
The college said people who see the painting in person have not complained, but they do acknowledge fielding mostly out-of-state complaints on the phone and via email.
"I don't think we're sorry about anything in this exhibit. I think this exhibit was intended to provoke discussion. It was intended to get people thinking," said Stephanie Schorow, Bunker Hill Community College Spokesperson.
D'Antuono said it is the Christian right which is fueling the debate. He makes no apologies for exercising his right to free speech.
"Jesus wasn't the only one crucified and I'm pretty sure that if he came down now and looked around I don't think he'd be too upset with me," said D'Antuono.
The painting will be displayed at Bunker Hill Community College through December 15.
Read more: http://bit.ly/Y59GLu
