BY AMIRA BRYANT

In recent weeks, the art world has been abuzz with a controversy surrounding Mexican artist Fabián Cháirez and his exhibition “La venida del Señor” (“The Coming of the Lord”) at the Academy of San Carlos of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). The exhibition, comprising nine large oil paintings created between 2018 and 2023, explores the intersection of religious and same-sex pairs in traditional Catholic attire engaged in poses together. 

The provocative nature of Cháirez’s work has drawn significant backlash from religious groups. The Association of Christian Lawyers (AAC) filed a complaint with the National Council to Prevent Discrimination (CONAPRED), alleging that the exhibition violated Article 24 of the Mexican Constitution, which protects religious freedom. On February 14, 2025, a group of Catholics organized a sit-in outside the Academy of San Carlos to protest the exhibition. Days later, protesters entered the building, staging a mock closure of a portion of the exhibit using caution tape and signs. 

The legal challenges culminated on March 3, 2025, when federal judge Francisco Javier Rebolledo Peña granted the AAC a temporary suspension order against the exhibition, mandating that UNAM enforce the closure within 24 hours. Cháirez condemned the suspension as an act of censorship rooted in intolerance and organized a demonstration on March 7 to rally support for artistic freedom. The artist’s supporters argued that his work fosters important conversations about sexuality, religion, and societal norms. 

The controversy reached a turning point on March 13, 2025, when Judge Rebolledo Peña rejected the AAC’s request for a permanent suspension of the exhibition. Following this legal victory, Cháirez announced plans to reopen “La venida del Señor,” potentially at other venues in Mexico City. This case has sparked a broader debate about the boundaries of artistic expression and the role of art in challenging societal taboos, highlighting the ongoing tension between freedom of expression and respect for religious sentiments.