'Controversial' mannequin artwork

By Sue Paz BBC Dorset

Robin says 'Themal Passion' does not aim to offend as it is "just two bodies"

Robin Beuscher from Harman's Cross is using life-sized dummies to depict his own personal take on some provocative themes.

His exhibition is called 'I'm a Celebrity - Get me out of here'.

Among many of the 'controversial' depictions there is Jesus Christ on a cross, decorated with fairy lights, and Madonna with a black child on a leash.

He admits it may initially offend, but says his intention is to make people "think".

Inspiration

Robin said: "I read about a subject and then in my mind I create an image that I want to portray using mannequins."

Robin worked in graphic design for most of his career and his artwork had always been purely for pleasure, until it started taking over his garage.

Robin used to work solely in 2D, but then he created 'Crash Test Mummy', which he says was the "inspiration for all the mannequins", which are currently on display in a disused barn in Worth Matravers.

Of 'Crash Test Mummy' Robin said: "I was reading about the problems of child fatalities on the road and it occurred to me that the motorist pays millions [of pounds] in tax, which doesn't get reverted back into the road system.

"Ultimately the motorists are blamed for driving incorrectly or too fast, when in reality if the money was reinvested into the system to make it [roads] safer, a lot of these problems wouldn't occur."

In pictures: Mannequin sculptures WARNING: CONTAINS STRONG IMAGES THAT MAY OFFEND

Reality TV

Arguably, Robin's most contentious mannequin sculpture is that of Jesus Christ, entitled 'I'm a Celebrity - Get me out of here'.

Robin said: "My point is that if Jesus were to return now, what would we do to him?

"We'd probably put him into 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' [the TV programme], or some sort of dance [reality TV] programme.

"We'd put lights on him and we'd crucify him, not in the physical sense, but in a different way."

'Madonna and Child' tackles Robin's take on celebrity adoption.

There is also a sculpture which depicts the atrocities of 9/11 [September 11 attacks in New York] and some "naked" dummies called 'Thermal Passion', which show the body's areas of heat, if they were to be measured using thermal imaging, during sexual arousal.

Robin said: "It isn't offensive, or it shouldn't be, because basically it's just the bodies of two people.

"But no doubt there will be somebody [who is] slightly sensitive who will find this, as they will any of this stuff, offensive.

"You can't win!"