Worshipped by some, dismissed by others, Banksy rarely fails to get the attention of the public and the press. Some art critics find his work too obvious. Some fans of graffiti think he’s a sell out. Some people see him as a god-like genius. Whatever you think, there’s no denying he knows how to get noticed, and that’s helped him become perhaps the best-known artist alive today.

His latest work is a replica 18th century sculpture of a priest, which has had the front of its face sawn off and replaced with a mosaic of skin-coloured tiles. This creates a pixilation effect inspired by images of suspects and victims of crime on TV and in print.
The sculpture is titled Cardinal Sin, and is Banksy’s response to the Catholic Church abuse scandal. He has loaned it to Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery indefinitely, where it’s displayed alongside religious art from the 17th century.

In a statement released by Banksy, he said:

“I’m never sure who deserves to be put on a pedestal or crushed under one.

“I love everything about the Walker Gallery – the Old Masters, the contemporary art, the rude girl in the cafe. And when I found out Mr Walker built it with beer money, it became my favourite gallery.

“The statue? I guess you could call it a Christmas present. At this time of year it’s easy to forget the true meaning of Christianity – the lies, the corruption, the abuse.”

A spokeswoman said the gallery has “always shown controversial art…works of art that were considered very controversial in their time. It’s part of an artistic tradition to show art that challenges people.”