An art exhibition at the Künstlerhaus in Vienna depicts the Virgin Mary as a trans woman, sparking strong protests soon after it opened. The Christian Protection Agency called the work a “deliberate attack on religion” and said similar images of Islam or Judaism would not be allowed.
Other artworks in the show include a wolf in priest’s clothes, a crucified frog, and a studded crucifix. The curator, Günther Oberhollenzer, said the exhibition was not meant to offend and focused on Christianity because of its importance in European art history.
The controversy soon fed into political discussion, with Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) spokesperson Judith Edelmann asking for a review of public funding for the Künstlerhaus. She said some works are “tasteless” and should not be paid for with taxpayer’s money.
