Divine Art

Arthur Dooley’s sculpture projecting from the wall of Princes Park Methodist Church hardly attracts a second glance from the thousands of people travelling daily along Princes Avenue, but it was a different story when the sculpture was unveiled.

When ‘The Resurrection of Christ’ was unveiled in 1969 the general reaction wasn’t favourable. BBC footage of local people at the unveiling included the comments

“I think it’s revolting. It’s ugly and grotesque. I think it’s ridiculous”

“It really does hit a person so they have to look, and take a second look”

“Well honestly! Do you think he looks like that? It’s ridiculous.”

Crowds at the unveiling

“He looks like a Red Indian.”

The unveiling was filmed for an edition of the BBC television programme Viewpoint. Presenter Jim Douglas Henry interviewed the sculptor Arthur Dooley on a high level moving platform next to the wall where the work was being placed. Speaking about the work Dooley said he had a lot of comments from people as he was making the sculpture, “I had this conflict from outside while I was trying to do the job so I just thought I’ll let it come itself.

“The red head band I was using to wipe my hands and I had this idea to wrap it around the head. And it worked.”