David Mach's man-size coat hanger crucifixion sculpture swung from the articulated lorry and hung in front of St Giles Cathedral yesterday morning while Barcroft media took photographs. The snap-happy tourists soon joined in as did photographers distracted from their job of covering a big case at the High Court across the road. Then the crucifixion was attached to scaffolding and remained centre stage in Parliament Sq for five hours set against a threateningly grey Edinburgh sky.

David Mach with Coat Hanger Crucifixion (c) Alan Wylie

Everyone's response was different. Some amazed at the use of coathangers; one fixated by the shiny bolts in the feet and before it was taken down we had a call from the registry office complaining that the sculpture might put off those getting married!

After the huge success of David's coat hanger gorilla in the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition, this was the first opportunity to see work from his next project which is inspired by and will mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. The year-long project will culminate in this crucifixion sculpture and The Tower of Babel collage, currently on show in the Summer Exhibition, returning to Edinburgh in a large exhibition of David's work at the City Arts Centre in July 2011.

www.davidmach.com/works/kingjames.asp

Blogger: Kate Wright-Morris