Meuck's sculptures explore the full life cycle, encompassing birth, adolescence, procreation middle age, old age, and death. Photo / Getty Images
Meuck's sculptures explore the full life cycle, encompassing birth, adolescence, procreation middle age, old age, and death. Photo / Getty Images
Their skin stretches and folds gently, hair protrudes from their pores and light reflects off the tangible sheens of sweat across their body as they spoon in bed.
The pair may look like a couple lying on a mattress, but in fact they are hyper-realistic sculptures of humans, displayed ona stone slab for an exhibition.
The creative process sees the artist sculpt in clay, make a plaster mould around the form and then replace the clay with a mixture of fibreglass, silicone and resin. Photo / Getty Images
The models were created by London-based sculptor Ron Mueck who has been producing sculptures since 1996.
Mr Mueck only turned to fine art for his living in his 30s - he was previously a model maker and puppeteer for childrens' television and films - he worked as Ludo on the 1986 film
This sculpture is titled 'Woman with shopping' and shows a mother carrying two shopping bags with a newborn baby swaddled in her coat. Photo / Getty Images
Mr Mueck, who is famously known for working silently and not giving media interviews, employs skills and techniques that are more often found in theatrical or cinematic special effects.
Part of his work's allure is that he constructs the likenesses of human beings, while playing with scale - some of his figures are alarmingly large, while others are pint-sized - although they are equally realistic regardless of their dimensions.
Although some of the sculptures are heart-warming to look at - such as an elderly couple gently resting on each under a bright-coloured parasol - Mr Mueck is not afraid to create more startling creations.
Lonely: This installation in Paris earlier this year shows a pale and naked man sitting alone in a boat. Photo / Getty Images
In 1997 Mr Mueck took part in the exhibition Sensation at the Royal Academy and presented an unsettling half-sized version of his own father laid out naked - it is the only piece of work in which he uses his own hair for the finished product.
Another one of his most shocking creations is a giant baby that has just been born, covered in blood with the umbilical cord hanging from his stomach.
Inspiration: Mask III. Shortly before he creating this Mr Mueck had visited an exhibition containing a number of sculptures of the Buddha. Photo / Getty Images
In a rare interview he told Sculptureorg: 'I don't think of them as mannequins. On one hand, I try to create a believable presence; and, on the other hand, they have to work as objects. They aren't living persons, although it's nice to stand in front of them and be unsure whether they are or not.
'But ultimately, they're fiberglass objects that you can pick up and carry. If they succeed as fun things to have in the room, I'm happy. At the same time, I wouldn't be satisfied if they didn't have some kind of presence that made you think they're more than just objects.'
'If they succeed as fun things to have in the room, I'm happy. At the same time, I wouldn't be satisfied if they didn't have some kind of presence that made you think they're more than just objects,' said Mr Mueck
