Cleavage-baring Clinton depicted in 'presidential bust'

A so-called presidential bust of U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, who is portrayed in a cleavage-revealing evening gown, has been unveiled at New York's Museum of Sex.

Cast in resin and bearing a mimicked presidential seal, the Clinton bust is the latest workof sculptor Daniel Edwards, who made headlines this spring for his life-size nude sculpture of pop singer Britney Spears giving birth on a bear-skin rug.

Unveiled on Wednesday, The Presidential Bust of Hillary Rodham Clinton: The First Woman President of the United States of America is scheduled for a limited six-week run at the Fifth Avenue museum.

Edwards has said that his intent was to show the 59-year-old New York senator "not as a covered up person, but as a woman."

Recognizessenator's wrinkles

Though Edwards has sculpted Clinton in a lacy, low-cut gown and displays what he claims is her anatomically correct bosom (based on public photos), the sculptor did not refrain from portraying her facial wrinkles.

He has described his depiction as Clinton "with her head held high, a youthful spirit and a face matured by wisdom."

Edwards was inspired to create the piece after reading statements by actress Sharon Stone in Hollywood Life magazine in March. Asked about challenges Clinton might face if she attempted a presidential run, Stone proclaimed it "too soon" for Clinton to attempt a run for the U.S. presidency.

"A woman should be past her sexuality when she runs. Hillary still has sexual power and I don't think people will accept that. It's too threatening," Stone said.

Sets up sculpture debate

Museum director Daniel Gluck has said he hopes the sculpture will spark debates about gender, politics and sexuality.

"The artist's portrayal of Hillary Clinton as a president who also happens to be a sexual being conveys the message that a woman need not squelch her sexuality in order to succeed as leader of the free world."

Clinton's office has made no comment on the sculpture.

Aside from the Spears sculpture, Edwards has courted controversy with a sculpture depicting the head of baseball great Ted Williams (whose body, after his death in 2002, was placed in cryonic suspension in hopes that medical science could possibly revive him in the future).