Växjö Kunsthall had commissioned the artwork by the artist Sebastian Rudolph Jensen. The work is a kind of performance art - where the artist plays the pastor Pastor Lax who asks for swish payments during these troubled corona times.
The work was removed because several upset people contacted the municipality and explained that they did not believe it was art. They believed this to be an impostor who wanted to deceive troubled people during the current corona pandemic.
Should have been clearerThe Director of Cultural Administration Tomas Ekelius believes that Växjö Art Hall and the municipality in their digital channels should have communicated more clearly that it was actually a work of art.
Artist Sebastian Rudolph Jensen does not share that image and thinks it is about censorship.
- I think it was clear right from the start because the art hall was the sender. The few people who have heard of the municipality do not represent the large mass. I believe in the public's ability to decide what is right and not, he says.
Have come backOn Monday, the Art Hall and the Cultural Administration discussed a strategy for how to make it clearer to people that it was about art and nothing else. During Monday, “Pastor Lax” was once again out on the social channels of Växjö Kunsthall.
The swish number in Sebastian Rudolph Jensen's performance art goes to his company. During Monday night, he had received seven swish payments amounting to SEK 264.