David LaChapelle is the photographer and director widely known in the fashion world for his pictures of such figures as Naomi Campbell, Whitney Houston, Uma Thurman, and recently Lady Gaga. On display in the Paul Kasmin Gallery in NYC is his latest installation, “American Jesus“.

LaChapelle has taken pictures that display Jesus interacting in modern-day representations of Biblical events. In one image, a scantily-clad prostitute wipes Jesus’ feet with her hair. In another, Jesus stands at the center of a table as in The Last Supper, only this time he is surrounded by thugs and criminals.

What has caught the eye of some, however, are the images that combine Jesus and other religious symbols with Michael Jackson.

(Photos courtesy of the websites of the Paul Kasmin Gallery and Sebastian Guiness Gallery)

In one article about the installation, LaChapelle stated that his inspiration for using Michael Jackson in his works came shortly after the pop star’s death in 2009.

Although LaChapelle has worked with the Jackson family many times over the years, the “American Jesus” series was conceived after the singer’s death and executed with the use of a look-alike.

“…when I worked on the millennium-issue cover of Rolling Stone, it was a fold-out cover with a lot of people wearing masks and a Michael Jackson imitator in the center. That’s when Michael realized I was a friend and not a foe.”

LaChapelle had a rough life growing up in Connecticut. Michael Jackson, one article said, was a dramatic figure in his life.

The 47-year-old LaChapelle spoke passionately the other day about growing up gay, Catholic and suicidal in Fairfield, Conn., and finding salvation (and photography) at the North Carolina School for the Arts. Twice he burst into tears recounting the trials of the King of Pop, whose first name he has tattooed on a ring finger.

Although they hadn’t met, the two had mutual friends. “He knew I was on his side,” says LaChapelle, who staged these shots at his farm in Maui. Below, LaChapelle shares his thoughts about two of his works.

The works will be on display until September 18, 2010.