  The Ottawa Wolves, a mostly gay rugby team, have created a provocative calendar, which includes this version of the Last Supper, as a team fundraiser. (Dan Ziemkiewicz photo) |
Religious scholars love to argue, but most would agree that Jesus did not have a gas mask tattoo on his chest.
And, for some reason, Leonardo da Vinci depicted participants in the Last Supper as wearing clothes.
These are minor considerations to Dan Ziemkiewicz, the photographer behind a calendar featuring members of the Ottawa Wolves Rugby Football Club. The two-year-old club is one of a few predominately gay teams in the country.
On Thursday, it will launch a fundraiser starring its quirky 2011 calendar.
"We have individual concepts," Ziemkiewicz said. "I didn't want to put out another sports calendar."
Ziemkiewicz and creative director Martyna Piechowski worked for seven months to bring concepts like the nude Last Supper to life.
January features five teammates on all fours in the snow, howling at the moon. In July, a burly trio strips out of business attire on the rugby pitch, revealing their uniforms.
Though Ziemkiewicz said some players on opposing teams act squeamish at first, they get over it quickly.
"You're either going to go and tackle some gay guy ... or you let your team down," he said.
The team launches its calendar from 7-10 p.m. at La Petite Mort Gallery, 306 Cumberland St.
There is no cover charge, but calendars are $20.
For more, visit www.ottawawolves.ca.
tony.spears@sunmedia.ca
