Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

"The Truth" by Michael D’Antuono

(Photo courtesy of Michael D’Antuono)

By Katherine Landergan, Globe Correspondent

A painting that was removed from an art installation in New York City because of public backlash is now on display at the Bunker Hill Community College Art Gallery, sparking outrage as well as an outpouring of support for the artist. The portrait depicts President Obama as Jesus, wearing a Crown of Thorns with his arms outstretched.

Michael D’Antuono’s painting, which is called “The Truth,” is part of a larger exhibit “Artists on the Stump: The Road to the White House 2012.” According to the gallery’s website, the exhibition is an opportunity for artists to “weigh in on the issues, candidates and country.”

The showcase, which opened Oct. 29 and is scheduled to end Dec. 15, features work by more than 20 artists.

"Some of our shows are meant to be thought provoking," said Karen Norton, spokeswoman for Bunker Hill Community College. "The exhibit was intended to coincide with the presidential election, and it represents different points of view pertaining to politics and our political leaders."

Laura L. Montgomery, who is the director of the Bunker Hill Community College Art Gallery, did not respond to a phone call or email from The Globe.

D’Antuono, who has been an illustrator for nearly 25 years, began crafting political works of art in 2009. “The Truth” was his first piece, which he had planned to display as an art installation in New York’s Union Square Park on Obama’s 100th day in office.

He said the painting was to be in a mock voting booth; the idea was members of the public would view the painting privately, and they would then be interviewed about what they thought of the piece. But D’Antuono decided to pull the installation after receiving approximately 4,000 angry emails about the painting. His family also voiced concerns for their safety, because of the amount of publicity the painting was generating.