Andres Serrano and Barry X Ball Rework Religious Iconography in 'Pious & Profane'

Back in June 2023, Pope Francis welcomed some 200 artists, writers and creatives to celebrate the Vatican's contemporary art collection. Among the artists representing the United States were Barry X Ball and Andres Serrano whose 1987 work Immersion (Piss Christ) - a photograph of a plastic crucifix steeped in urine - scandalized the art world and U.S. senators alike. Despite the many works ripe for backlash from Christian protestors, the Pope applauded the arts for its ability to bring hope to t...