Let the bells peal at St Marylebone parish church in London, as the C of E strikes a vital blow for relevance by unveiling a statue of mid-noughties curiosity Pete Doherty.
I say statue, but in fact, the work is a lifesize crucifixion, commissioned by Pete himself in 2008, and entitled – what else? – For Pete’s Sake. And I say Pete Doherty, but in fact the figure in question did not appear immediately recognisable during the sculpting stage, which probably says something complex and shaded about both the nature of notoriety, and the impossibility of rendering biro tattoos in stone. Still, it’s all part of an exhibition organised by the campaign to find Tom Moore, who went missing in 2003.
As the vicar of St Marylebone intones to DIY magazine: “I hope that For Pete’s Sake might help visitors to the exhibition stop and reflect not only Christ’s Passion and resurrection and what this means, but also to stop and reflect on what in their own lives leads to death or to life.”
Mmm. Go on. “Doherty’s battle with addiction and a self-destructive lifestyle have been well catalogued in the press throughout his career,” continues this Reverend Canon Steven Evans. “Today, having successfully completed rehab treatment in Thailand, Doherty seeks to live a new life free of the things which had nearly destroyed him.”
Thanking you, Reverend. All that remains is to point out that the sculpture is on sale for £33,000, and congratulate the folk at St Marylebone on their exciting religious coup.
