Well-meaning artist turns Jesus statue into terracotta gargoyle

  • 21/10/2016
(CBC News)
(CBC News)

A local artist's attempt to replace the missing head on a baby Jesus statue at a Canadian church has had shocking results.

The pearly white statue, whose head was believed to be stolen by vandals, now has a new crown which resembles something like a terracotta gargoyle.

Well-meaning artist turns Jesus statue into terracotta gargoyle

(CBC News)

"It really is shocking to the eyes because of the big contrast in colour," the church's priest Gérard Lajeunesse told CBC News.

"The statue had been vandalized before, at least once, maybe twice," he said. "It's always Jesus' head that goes missing. Probably because it's smaller and easier to break off."

Well-meaning artist turns Jesus statue into terracotta gargoyle

(CBC News)

In the past the head was found nearby and reattached, but this time it's disappeared.

"This time we looked high and low. No head. No Jesus," Father Gérard said.

He said a local artist came knocking at the door, asking about the missing head.

"She was quite upset about it and she offered to do something if she could." 

Well-meaning artist turns Jesus statue into terracotta gargoyle

(CBC News)

A replacement head would have to be custom made, he said, and no one wanted to do it.

Replacing the entire statue would cost up to $10,000.

The shocking sculptural reinterpretation of Jesus' appearance is reminiscent of the hilariously botched restoration attempt on a Spanish fresco in 2012.

A parishioner in her 80s took responsibility for the fixing faded painting at the Sanctuary of Mercy Church near Zaragoza, Spain. The result was something resembling a chimpanzee.

Well-meaning artist turns Jesus statue into terracotta gargoyle

(Supplied)

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