Controversial same-sex marriage mural vandalised after causing outrage in Sydney
A controversial Sydney mural celebrating same-sex marriage has had paint thrown over it less than 24 hours after it was finished after causing outrage.
Australian artist Scott Marsh finished painting a mural titled ‘The Happy Ending’ following Wednesday’s historic yes postal vote win, featuring former PM Tony Abbott and Cardinal George Pell.
Marsh finished painting the mural on a wall outside the Botany View Hotel in Newtown, in inner-city Sydney, about 5.30pm on Wednesday after it was announced Australia had voted to legalise same-sex marriage.
He shared a picture of the finished product on Instagram, but it drew mixed reviews for its subject matter.
The mural depicts Mr Abbott in a dress with a tiara drinking from a bottle of Penfold’s Grange through a straw, and performing a rude gesture with Cardinal Pell.
“Tasteless and highly offensive,” one user commented.
Another user said they regarded Marsh as a talented artist but found the use of Cardinal Pell offensive, and “since it’s in the public space” they were offended “for any children that have to see it”.
Some others labelled it “fantastic” and “f****** brilliant”.
However, a member of the Christian Lives Matter Facebook group said the mural is “disgusting”.
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“How can we as a society accept this persecution of Christians and allow them to mock our clergy?” he posted.
He encouraged members of the group to call the Botany View Hotel and complain. He also linked to the pub’s Facebook page and said, “give them a nice 1 star review”.
Despite some of the negative feedback, Marsh told Fairfax he didn’t meant to target “people’s religions”.
“I'm conscious of people's religions, I tried to make it about George Pell,” he said.
Overnight someone who took offence decided to throw paint over the mural.
A big splash of pink and white paint now covers Cardinal Pell’s face.
Marsh posted a picture of his vandalised work on Instagram, but seems to have taken it in good humour.
“What a great collaboration with the church!” he posted.
“They have really over-emphasised George Pell’s excitement at the historic ‘yes’ vote by plastering his face with white ‘paint’.”
It’s not the first time Marsh has used the former PM in his art. He painted Mr Abbott in a wedding dress marrying himself on a wall in Redfern in September.
Marsh has been contacted for comment.
