The monotheistic premise of Christianity implies that the crucified Jesus idol found in churches are divine and special, but of course they’re sold in bulk just like any other ornament.

The World Fair for Church Supplies, Liturgical and Ecclesiastical Art is where religious paraphernalia is bought and sold, taking place every two years in Vicenza, Italy - a key event in a religious goods industry estimated to be worth $5.2 billion.

The fair was a photo opportunity too good to miss for Louis De Belle who immediately booked a flight and found “a ‘counter–reality’ made of bored salesmen, busy nuns and misplaced items: a last supper is hanging before a modest refreshment, agonising crucifixes are being quickly deposited, while industrious sisters do their business.”

His resultant photo series, Besides Faith, ‘invites the viewer to take a look at this picturesque happening by detaching for a moment all of its paraphernalia from the notion of faith.’

'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Show all 20 1 /20 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle The one and only (A multitude of baby jesus figures) 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Seraphic vendor (A vendor surrounded by crucifixes, the symbol of sufferance) 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Madonnas (Madonnas in order of size) 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Deposition II (An agonising crucifix deposited with an electric screwdriver) 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Black and white (mannequins with and without liturgical clothing) 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Baby Jesus (a baby Jesus figurine being lifted) Louis De Belle 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Deposition I (A crucifix carried away together with a former Pope and other statues) Louis De Belle 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Saint Pio 3D (A 3D figure of Saint Pio in a glass block) 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Sisters (two industrious nuns) 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Last Suppers (Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper before a modest refreshment) 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Shopping (Clergy people picking clothing) 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Mystery of faith (A ciborium cup covered by a cloth) Louis De Belle 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Bored vendor (A vendor on the phone) 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Sister (A nun in front of shiny ciboria cups) 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Wrapped statue (Detail of a wrapped statue) Louis De Belle 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Sober vendor (A vendor surrounded by silver plated images) Louis De Belle 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Crosses and bin (crucifixes galore next to a bin) 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Adoration (Office stationery adored by Madonnas) 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Wrapped Madonna (a wrapped up statue next to a wooden box) Louis De Belle 'Besides Faith' by Louis De Belle Convenient deal (Discounts on Thai silk chasubles) Louis De Belle

There are baby Jesuses of all shapes and sizes, Madonnas arranged like matryoshka dolls and crucifixes being nailed into walls by quotidian men in jeans, all of the photos sharing a hollowness that evokes a gift shop.

“As it’s a trade fair everyone was eager to be photographed and promote the products, though my focus was slightly shifted towards the uncanny side of the event,” Louis told It’s Nice That.

“Overall I wanted to see how one’s perception of sacredness might change when looking at religious items displayed – or even just handled – in a different way.

“The trade fair’s ‘heterotopic’ ambience was the perfect backdrop for such a visual investigation: no real context and very pristine setups.”