Even in clay, Britney Spears is on the front lines in the Culture War.
Sculptor Daniel Edwards’s new work depicts a naked Spears on all
fours atop a bear-skin rug giving birth to her son. It debuts next week
at the Capla Kesting Fine Art gallery in Williamsburg.
Edwards calls his work “Monument to Pro-Life: The Birth of Sean Preston.”
The “pro-life” tag has the fur flying.
Anti-abortion activists are chafing at the suggestion that a sculpture
of the naked singer, crouched in a clearly sexual position, is being offered
up as an icon of their cause.
“Crass sensationalism in the name of an important movement is still
exploitation,” said Charmaine Yoest, vice president of the pro-life
Family Research Council.
But the gallery, at 121 Roebling St., says it will go ahead with its plan
to display the birthin’ Britney.
Co-owner David Kesting said he’s received 4,000 angry e-mails about
the piece, countered by 1,000 in support. But all buzz is good buzz.
“Dan Edwards is a hallmark sculptor of our times,” said Kesting.
“The avant-garde movement appreciates the discussion his work is
creating.”
Beyond the artistic achievement, Edwards’s sculpture has accomplished
something equally difficult: For once, Culture Warriors on both sides
agreed that the use of Britney Spears as an abortion debate icon is just
plain bizarre.
“As a mother of three daughters, I think Britney has thrown away
her chance to be a positive role model for young women, said Yoest. “It’s
funny how an artist will take a celebrity and try to insert her into the
nation’s discussion around abortion,” said Robert Jaffe, spokesperson
for NARAL Pro-Choice New York. “There are millions of American women
who have given birth who define themselves as pro-choice.”
Expect more contractions when the pregnant piece makes its debut next
week.
