A Costa Rican artist has attracted heavy criticism for his latest exhibition featuring an apparently malnourished dog . The dog, called Nativity, has an emaciated body and appears starved of food, evoking strong opposition from animal rights protestors who are disgusted at the dog's treatment. It is alleged that the dog was deliberately starved having been a stray found on the streets, and it remains unknown whether the dog survived the exhibition and is still alive or not.
The artist, Guillermo 'Habacuc' Vargas, was previously unknown, though following the exhibition at the Codice Gallery in Manwhichagua in Nicaragua in October, his name has become a byword of controversy. 32 year old Vargas has since been subject to abuse and death threats, but has refused to comment on the allegations regarding the dog.
