No, that’s not a real gorilla hanging from a cross. It’s a large waxwork sculpture that British shock artist Paul Fryer has crucified in an attempt to “highlight [the] plight of the Western Lowland Gorillas, and to challenge the Christian nation that animals do not have souls,” according to one report.
Fryer, who caused a stir earlier this year when he exhibited a statue depicting Christ in an electric chair just in time for Easter, has told reporters that his latest work, titled “The Privilege of Dominion,” isn’t meant to cause offense.
The work is currently on display at an exhibition at the former Holy Trinity Church in Marylebone, London. The show, which features works by 16 artists, is being held to coincide with the Frieze Art Fair.
In an article in the London Evening Standard, the artist said: “I do go to church and regard myself as a Christian, though I’m probably a heretic…. I just hope people understand the spirit of it is intended to create discourse and make people think rather than offend anybody.”
The gorilla sculpture was reportedly created with the assistance of a waxworks expert who had worked at Madame Tussauds.
Also on display is Fryer’s electrocuted Jesus sculpture.
In the Daily Telegraph, the show’s curator, Joe La Placa, defended the artist’s work, saying that the gorilla sculpture is supposed inspire discussion as to why primates were disappearing.
“It inspires you to connect to your maximum ability to learn and connect… I think great art heightens that,” he said.
– David Ng
Photo: Paul Fryer’s “The Privilege of Dominion” Courtesy: London Evening Standard
Commentary by Rob Robinson
Paul spoke of the fact that in the Last Days that Perilous times would come.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
As we approach the day of Jesus’ return, one of the signs that will point us to His return is that of the gradual turning of the hearts of people. In every generation prior to the 60′s, people had at the very least a reverence for God and spiritual things, even if they themselves did not beleive.
Today’s headlines are filled with articles describing the strange and blasphemous actions of people who have lost all natural affection and discernment for spiritual matters or leaders. I have personally witnessed in Jesus’ church, a change that has occured in just the past 24 years that I have been a pastor and Bible teacher. That of dissrespect for those in spiritual authority.
This article by David Ng in the Los Angeles Times Arts section is of no suprise. It is however a cloud filled sunset over Jerusalem in which Jesus would say:
Luke 12:54-56
54 Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is.
55 And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is.
56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?”
We see the cloud of hearts growing colder towards Jesus and those who love Him. We see the shower of ridicule and disrespect for spiritual things. We feel the winds blow of increasing persecution and the danger of future arrest just for serving the risen Jesus. We discern the times as those immediately preceding the arrival of our Lord who will both bring to light the true thoughts and intents of men’s hearts and bring with Him a kingdom of everlasting righteousness and peace.
Today the world has the opportunity to bow its knee to Jesus and proclaim Him as Lord. There is coming though a day when the knee of every man will bow in reverence and respect for Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of all Lords. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.
Rob Robinson
