Marc Quinn: Turning plastic surgery into art

Buck + Allanah, 2009. In the case of models Allanah Starr and Buck Angel, she was originally a he and he was originally a she, and to an extent he is still a he and she is still a she. Photograph: © The artist, courtesy White Cube. Photo: Roger Wooldridge Thomas Beatie, 2009. “­Sculpture’s all about ­drapery, isn’t it?” Quinn says. “­Recreating the movement of fabric in marble is one of the classic sculptural themes.” Photograph: © The artist, courtesy White Cube. Photo: Roger Wooldridge Chelsea Charms, 2009. Does Quinn find Charms beautiful? “It’s a different kind of beauty," he says. "It’s so classical, in a way – like a Venus of ­Willendorf come to life.” Photograph: © The artist, courtesy White Cube. Photo: Roger Wooldridge Man In The Mirror, 2010. Jackson had agreed to model for Quinn, but died before he made it to the ­studio. The sculptures are based on paintings. Photograph: © The artist, courtesy White Cube. Photo: Roger Wooldridge