Eric Ball is still “disappointed and angry”. It must be understood: the engraver and designer based in Barr (Bas-Rhin) had a last exhibition that was turbulent to say the least. He actually saw one of his paintings being criticized, defaced, taken down, put back in place, stolen and finally returned! All in three and a half months, on the occasion of the 25th edition of the “Paths of sacred art in Alsace”, organized by the diocese of Strasbourg, from the beginning of June to mid-October.
The goal of the demonstration? “Carry out exhibitions of contemporary art in certain remarkable churches in Haut and Bas-Rhin with artists who create for the place as additional pretexts to visit our churches,” writes the organizer on his site. “My works had been validated, I had approval,” continues the former student of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg, who therefore did not expect such a welcome at the abbey church of Saint-Arbogast, in Surbourg.
“The priest was responsible, he admitted it to me”
Among the twelve proposed, one very quickly aroused reactions, “The Song of Songs”. “It is an engraving inspired by an eponymous poem in the Bible. I illustrated it with an embracing couple.” In a position that is too suggestive? This is what some people thought, starting with the abbot of the parish. “He told me that it bothered him and I know that he repeated it to certain faithful,” assures the fifty-year-old, who also read some virulent words in the guest book left. “It is notably noted that there is no sacred art in drawing such a work and that it is pornographic, or that it should be burned.”
Then, in July, Eric Ball found his famous work damaged. “There were like pieces of paper stuck together, with words written on them, like the term ‘pornographic’. I had filed a complaint for damage. » A second will follow, when the engraving will this time have completely disappeared, stolen. “But before, it had been taken down and it was the priest who was responsible. He admitted it to me,” recalls the artist, who finally found his work on the day the exhibition ended, October 15.
A precedent in 2006… without the slightest controversy
Miracle ! Not really. Eric Ball remains bitter after all these twists and turns. “It’s scandalous… The picture is not at all provocative, we’re talking about love. We must denounce this type of fundamentalist behavior, it’s serious! » “The Song of Songs” has returned to its workshop, before a future release. “Yes, I will expose it again. It doesn’t change anything, I have confidence in myself. »
In 2006, the same work was exhibited in another church in Alsace, in Lauterbach. Without the slightest controversy.