August 4, 2009 16:00

Glasgow indie band criticised by Vatican for destroying bible

Pontiff labels exhibition featuring Salon Society singer as 'disgusting and offensive'

The singer of Glasgow band Salon Society has drawn criticism from the Pope, after she took part in an exhibition discussing sexuality and religion.

Roxanne Claxton appears in a performance video at the 'Made In God's Image' exhibition at Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). In the piece, she is seen to rip pages out of a bible and then stuff them down her knickers and bra, as well as eating them.

Another part of the exhibition initially encouraged visitors to write their own entries in a different copy of the bible, resulting in several lewd comments being entered into the book.

In a statement, Claxton defended her artwork, saying it is a celebration of her identity as a bisexual woman.

"The piece was intended to explore the concept of people being made in the image of God," she noted, "and as a bisexual woman I wanted to celebrate both the masculine and feminine aspects of my identity in relation to my faith as a Christian woman."

Claxton added that Salon Society's next single 'Preaching The Blues' (released on October 1) is a continuation of the faith and sexuality themes.

However, an adviser to Pope Benedict XVI condemned the exhibition as "disgusting and offensive", adding, "They would not think of doing it to the Koran."

For more on Salon Society, head to Myspace.com/SalonSociety.