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Description of the artwork «The Deadly Sin (Cardinal Sin)»
Cardinal Sin - one of the most scandalous and, perhaps, the most satirically mocking works of Banksy. It is worth starting with the fact that the artist presented this sculpture to the public on the eve of Christmas in 2011. This gesture was Banksy’s reaction to the scandal over child abuse committed by Catholic priests for many years and which was covered and hushed up by the church. In the name of the sculpture lies an ironic pun: “cardinal sin” - a phrase that is used in the meaning of “mortal sin”.
In a statement on this sculpture, Banksy expressed himself rather harshly: “I’m never sure who deserves to be placed on a pedestal or crushed under it. <...> As for the sculpture, I think it can be called a Christmas present. At this time of the year it is so easy to forget about the true meaning of Christianity - lies, corruption and violence. ”
Banksy's work is a replica of an 18th century bust. The face of the sculpture was sawn and covered with ceramic tile mosaics. It is noteworthy that “Cardinal Sin” was first exhibited at the Liverpool Walker Art Gallery, in the same room with outstanding 17th-century Christian art: an altar of workMurilloand religious paintingsRubens. Banksy, with his characteristic humor, explained that it was not by chance that he chose this place to demonstrate his sculpture: “I adore everything in the Walker Gallery - the work of old masters, contemporary art, a rude girl in a cafe. And when I found out that Mr. Walker built it with beer money, she became my favorite gallery. ”
Reyan King, director of art galleries at Liverpool National Museums, said that Banksy contacted Walker Gallery and wished Cardinal Sin to be on display along with a permanent collection. “The sculpture contains a very clear message, She says. - When you look at her and see tiles hiding her face, the “pixel” faces of the criminals are immediately remembered on the TV screen or in the newspaper. I'm interested in the fact that the visitor who sees this may begin to look for less obvious messages in other exhibits of the gallery. Messages that are in the works of almost all artists. We have always shown controversial art, and in our collection there are works that were considered very controversial in their time. This is part of the artistic tradition: to demonstrate art that challenges people. ”
Author: Evgenia Sidelnikova
In a statement on this sculpture, Banksy expressed himself rather harshly: “I’m never sure who deserves to be placed on a pedestal or crushed under it. <...> As for the sculpture, I think it can be called a Christmas present. At this time of the year it is so easy to forget about the true meaning of Christianity - lies, corruption and violence. ”
Banksy's work is a replica of an 18th century bust. The face of the sculpture was sawn and covered with ceramic tile mosaics. It is noteworthy that “Cardinal Sin” was first exhibited at the Liverpool Walker Art Gallery, in the same room with outstanding 17th-century Christian art: an altar of workMurilloand religious paintingsRubens. Banksy, with his characteristic humor, explained that it was not by chance that he chose this place to demonstrate his sculpture: “I adore everything in the Walker Gallery - the work of old masters, contemporary art, a rude girl in a cafe. And when I found out that Mr. Walker built it with beer money, she became my favorite gallery. ”
Reyan King, director of art galleries at Liverpool National Museums, said that Banksy contacted Walker Gallery and wished Cardinal Sin to be on display along with a permanent collection. “The sculpture contains a very clear message, She says. - When you look at her and see tiles hiding her face, the “pixel” faces of the criminals are immediately remembered on the TV screen or in the newspaper. I'm interested in the fact that the visitor who sees this may begin to look for less obvious messages in other exhibits of the gallery. Messages that are in the works of almost all artists. We have always shown controversial art, and in our collection there are works that were considered very controversial in their time. This is part of the artistic tradition: to demonstrate art that challenges people. ”
Author: Evgenia Sidelnikova
