Cooper Union Exhibit Sparks Religious Controversy

NEW YORK—A student art exhibition at the Cooper Union school has instigated protest from the Catholic League of Civil and Religious Rights, a Roman Catholic watchdog group, reports the Associated Press. The exhibit, which began on May 27 and ends on June 10, features paintings by Felipe Baeza of religious symbols combined with sexually explicit images. One of his works, entitled The day I became a Catholic, depicts a man with a crucifix in place of his genitals. All the works on display were chosen by the faculty.

Bill Donahue, president of the Catholic League, said the public “should expect more from the art faculty at a distinguished institution of higher education.”

Cooper Union has refused to remove the controversial paintings, stating that “hundreds of student works are shown annually without censorship” and that they do not want to treat this case any differently.