Madrid, Spain - Two photo books featuring nude models portraying religious figures in sexual positions sparked debate on Wednesday, with some questioning the use of public funds for the project.
The books were published several years ago, but the right-wing Popular Party has seized on the issue with two months to go before regional and local elections in overwhelmingly Catholic Spain.
Internet sites and several newspapers have reproduced some of the black-and-white photos from artist Jose Antonio "Jam" Montoya, often with the models' private parts blacked out. The photos include representations of Jesus and Mary.
The art exhibit catalogues were co-financed by the socialist regional government of Estremadure in southwest Spain. That has led to strong criticism from the opposition.
The Popular Party said in a statement that the publication of the books "with public funds represents an offence, a serious attack on everyone's ethical and aesthetic sensibilities."
The regional government defended its actions, saying "artistic expressions should not be submitted to personal political criteria."
Montoya said one of the books was published eight years ago and the other five years ago, and there was no controversy at the time.
"This controversy has been provoked intentionally by the PP with the coming elections in mind," Montoya said.
The photos recreate religious scenes from famous paintings, but add erotic or pornographic elements to them. One scene shows the Angel Gabriel holding his penis and moving toward a model representing Mary, who is seated nude on a sofa.
Another example is a photo titled "Saint Bernard and Mary's Milk," representing a woman with naked breasts and a veil covering her head. A man drinks milk from her breasts as if from a flask.
The images also include one of Christ with female private parts. The artist, however, said he didn't intend to offend or mock Catholics.
He said his aim was to criticize what he views as hypocrisy within the Church, citing discrimination against women and homosexual priests, among other issues.
"The only reaction that I wanted to provoke was for people to become aware of the facts that truly cause harm to Christianity," said Montoya.