As the most universally recognised and worshipped figure of all time, Jesus was practically the reason for the word following. Over 2000 years after his death, and people are still fascinated by his life and teachings. It’s then no wonder that many look back at his life and try and relate his learnings to the modern world.
Religious groups, gay rights activists, even some pop stars have pondered what Jesus might do if he was alive today. Artists are no exception. Possibly one of the few constant things throughout Jesus’s life and after his death is the need for artists to interpret his image. From Michelangelo to Caravaggio, Gaugin to Dali, Jesus has inspired some of the greatest artists that ever lived.
Here are a few contemporary artworks that amusingly depict what Jesus might get up to if he were alive today.
Anointing by David LaChapelle
Jesus is probably the most famous guy on the planet so there’s no doubt he’d have a queue of gorgeous women queuing up to wash his feet and help him relax before a big day...
Source: www.davidlachapelle.com
Cosmo Sarson: Big Splash, Little Splash - Breakdancing Jesus on Water
We all knew Jesus could walk on water, but in today’s world of Britain / America’s Got Talent, perhaps he might have needed to do something a bit more attention grabbing… like breakdancing perhaps?
Source: www.lawrencealkingallery.com
Jesus stripped of his garments by Chris Woods
Commissioned by St. David’s Anglican Church in Vancouver, this piece is part of a series of artworks depicting modern-day Jesus. In reality if a man was being stripped on a golf course and tied to something today, he will generally be accompanied by a group of rowdy blokes on a stag do.
Source: chriswoodsartist.com
Last Supper by Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin
Controversial and deemed by some as “blasphemous”, but if Jesus were alive today he might say ‘hey, who are you to judge?’.
Source: www.ohlson.se
The Undefeated by Stephen Sawyer
In an interview with the Guardian, the artist Stephen Sawyer said: "I scarcely think Jesus could have overturned the tables of the money-lenders and driven them from the temple if he was a wimp. The model I use for my paintings is a surfer guy who's built like a brick sh**house." Enough said.
Source: www.artforgod.com