The visual artist and school director in a village in the province of Nicosia will take legal action, after the uproar and the reactions caused by their paintings, if the Ministry of Education proceeds with a disciplinary investigation against him.
Speaking on the show "Front Page" Mr. George Gabriel explained that "I will take measures not only to protect myself but also respect for the Arts and freedom of expression."
Commenting on the statements of the Archbishop of Cyprus, Mr. Gabriel said that, “the statements of the Archbishop as well as others show that they are trying to take away from me the reason and the right that every artist has to express and create. They require me to define the frameworks and boundaries within which I must create. They demand that I stop worrying, not talking, not expressing myself. I do not consider my work to offend the Divine or anything else. My works may provoke but I do not consider it blasphemous to present Christ naked. "There are murals depicting Christ naked. My Christ is the persecuted, with the refugees, in football and in the demonstration."
Read also A flurry of works by a teacher / artist: "I have no limits in my work" (VIDEO)
Regarding the reactions that arose from the residents of the area where he teaches, as well as a portion of parents who request his removal, Mr. Gabriel stated that his artistic work has nothing to do with the school.
"I have excellent relations with the students and the Parents' Association that has expressed its support."
Finally, referring to the definition given to him as a militant artist, he commented that it is an honor to be considered a militant. "Everyone expresses their emotions according to their circumstances and experiences like me with my works. We all have an attitude about what is happening. I have my own worldview ".
Source: Sigmalive