JESUS crucified on a cross of light and a modern day Venus de Milo – with the attributes of Katie Price – these are some of the striking art works on display in a Purbeck barn.

Graphic designer turned artist Robin Beuscher has been working away on these pieces, and others, for the best part of a decade using mannequins he buys on e-bay.

The 62-year-old from Harman’s Cross is now displaying them for the first time in an exhibition in a barn in rural Worth Matravers.

He admits they “are not the kind of thing the average person has in their home”. But while they’re not everyone’s cup of tea he says they are making serious comments on modern life.

“I’ve had people walk in and almost walk straight out again,” he added. “But there’s an A4 sheet with each one explaining why I’ve done it – it’s not just arbitrarily thrown at people to take it or leave it.”

Bournemouth Echo: Personal Jesus among art works in Purbeck barn

He explained the piece called Venus is a modern-day version of the Venus de Milo, the famous ancient Greek sculpture which depicts Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty – showing “how perceptions of beauty have changed over time”.

He added: “I thought that if we were to produce what we perceive to be classic beauty today it would be this surgically enhanced skinny person – like Jordan. This makes that point.”

The mannequin depicting Christ, which is called I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here, shows the cross and Jesus’s wounds made up of lights.

“The idea is that if Jesus came back now what would we do with him? What would we make of him?” said Robin.

“We’d probably stick him on one of these celebrity shows – we’d crucify him – but in a different way.”

He added: “My work is definitely different, unique and very original. So far everybody has been very complimentary about it, saying that it encourages one to think.”

Find out more about the artworks on display by clicking link below.

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