Libertines singer Pete Doherty visits London church to give artist's crucifixion blessing
This article originally appeared on Culture24.
£33,000 crucifixion visited by singer in bid to find man who went missing in Italy in 2003
Pete Doherty, the infamous poet who is better known for being The Libertines’ lead singer and a cause for concern to authority than an art critic, has given his blessing to a life-size sculpture of himself nailed to a cross inside London’s St Marylebone Parish Church.
Created by artists Nick Reynolds and Schoony, the sculpture – titled For Pete’s Sake – will be auctioned to raise awareness for missing man Tom Moore, whose brother, Ben, met Doherty at the church.
Video footage shows a suited Doherty praying, playing a piano and strumming a guitar at St Marylebone.
“What have we got ‘ere?” he is seen asking.
“On crack, be a junkie, be a thief. Is this the most disgusting art exhibition ever?”
“Doherty’s battle with addiction and a self-destructive lifestyle have been well catalogued in the press throughout his career,” said The Reverend Canon Stephen Evans, of the 200-year-old church, who hopes that the work will inspire visitors to reflect on the resurrection and “what leads to death or to life”.
“Today, having successfully completed rehab treatment in Thailand, Doherty seeks to live a new life free of the things which had nearly destroyed him.”
The sculpture is part of a crucifixion-themed exhibition which will have its works showcased on billboard spaces on London Underground stations with symbolic links to the theme, including King's Cross, Charing Cross, Temple, St Paul's, Angel and Marylebone.
‘When I created this work I saw Pete being crucified by the media,” said Reynolds. “That provided the basis of my inspiration to make this piece.”
The money will support the Missing Tom Fund, which is helping Moore continue his 12-year search for his brother.
- Stations of the Cross is at the church until March 17 2015. Visit the Missing Tom Fund.
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