Christ of the Ozarks
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Christ of the Ozarks statue is a monumental sculpture of Jesus located near Eureka Springs, Arkansas, atop Magnetic Mountain. It was erected in 1966 by Gerald L. K. Smith, a Depression-era religious and political figure who briefly led the Share Our Wealth movement initiated by Huey Long. The statue is a popular tourist attraction, but remains controversial with local residents due to Smith's association with anti-Semitic organizations throughout his career.
The statue, which is over 67 feet (20 meters) tall, was primarily the work of Emmit Sullivan, who also worked on nearby Dinosaur World. The work is quite modernistic and minimalistic in a way; there is little true facial detail or expression, and the lines and forms are generally quite simplified. The arms are outstretched straight, suggesting the Crucifixion; however the cross is never overtly depicted. The statue was proposed and built as the centerpiece of a proposed religious theme park which was never fully realized, but an outdoor passion play styled after that of Oberammergau, Germany is staged annually in a nearby amphitheater.
The statue has been parodied many times over the years in local and national publications due to its striking nature and artistic flaws. The fact that it is disproportionate in nature has led to a variety of unflattering nicknames, such as "Gumby Jesus" and "Our Milk Carton With Arms." The Christ of the Ozarks is also featured briefly in the 2005 movie Elizabethtown.
