Oprah and her dogs immortalised in gold-painted bust

New York, May 16 : Controversial artist Daniel Edwards, the man behind 'Britney-giving-birth-on-a-bearskin-rug' and 'Paris Hilton Autopsy,' has created a new piece - this time a gold-painted bust of Oprah Winfrey with her much-loved late cocker spaniel, Sophie, and golden Lab, Gracie, placed on her mane.

Edwards says that "Memories of Sophie and Gracie: A Puppies' Memorial" is inspired by the deaths of the talk show host's dogs Sophie, who died after choking on a ball last year, and Gracie, who recently died from kidney failure.

He added that the piece is a tribute to the media queen's feelings for her dogs and also a reminder to all pet lovers to do what they can to prevent premature canine fatalities.

"If those were two children that died under those causes, I think the world would freak out," the New York Daily News quoted Edwards, as saying.

"I think having two pets die within a year means its time to re-evaluate your home. ... Oprah just went through this. I think most people would be devastated if it happened to them," he added.

John Lee, co-director of New York's Leo Kesting Gallery, a regular Edwards exhibitor, said the dogs were placed on Oprah's mane to suggest the loss might be weighing heavily on the daytime TV icon's mind.

"To represent Sophie and Gracie together, joined in Oprah's memory as they were in life and in Oprah's heart, the artist depicted them as conjoined at the hip and sharing a common tail," he said.

Some of Edwards' past works include a sculpture entitled "Suri's Bronzed Baby Poop," which some believe to actually contain excrement from Suri Cruise.

Other works include a sculpture of Fidel Castro and a life-size naked likeness of a dead Paris Hilton, aimed at helping to prevent women from drinking and driving. But the most press Edwards received was for his statue of Britney Spears giving birth on a bearskin rug.

ANI