c. 1980s

Card stock

6 x 4 inches

Contact gallery for price.

A parody of the Jesse Helms-led attack on artist Andre Serrano and the NEA, Diseased Pariah News illustrated the absurdity of the government response to perceived desecration of a crucifix, while they continued to ignore the tens of thousands dying from AIDS. In 1987, Serrano’s “Piss Christ” was exhibited at the Stux Gallery in New York City and was favorably received. The piece later caused a scandal when it was exhibited in 1989, with detractors, including US Senator Jesse Helms, outraged that Serrano received $15,000.00 for the work, and $5000.00 in 1986 from the taxpayer-funded National Endowment for the Arts. Serrano received death threats and hate mail, and he lost grants due to the controversy. Others alleged that the government funding of “Piss Christ” violated the separation of church and state.

G.E.

Work by Diseased Pariah News