Protesters picket UCC as artist defends image

THE artist who created the controversial image of Our Lady hit back at critics last night as religious protesters picketed outside University College Cork (UCC).

Mexican-born Alma Lopez insisted her Our Lady of Guadalupe is not blasphemous as UCC confirmed it will go on display at the university today.

Ms Lopez blamed a Catholic fundamentalist group, America Needs Fatima, for “misrepresenting her works and her intentions”.