the little girl who spent ten years of her life growing up in the African bush

Heart-warming pictures of the real life Mowgli, a girl who spent the first ten years of her life growing up in the African bush, have been released for the first time.

The magical images chronicle the life of Tippi Benjamine Okanti Degri, who was brought up with wild animals, just like Rudyard Kipling's hero did in The Jungle Book.

The images - in the relaunched book - 'Tippi: My Book of Africa' - show the young girl making friends with an elephant, who she calls her brother, and a leopard, her best friend.

Real life Mowgli,: Photos of Tippi, a girl who spent the first ten years of her life growing up in the African bush, have been released for the first time

Bond: Tippi aged 6 sitting on the back of Linda, a tamed ostrich in South Africa, left, and cradling two meerkats

Follow me: Tippi riding on Abu's neck as he leads his herd in Okavango Swamps, Botswana

Living with her French parents, wildlife photographers Sylvie Robert and Alain Degri, the three of them travelled extensively through Africa on a unique and incredible trip. The adventure started where Tippi was born in Namibia, and ended in her travelling through countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
'Her everyday life was making sure monkeys did not steal her bottle,' said Sylvie.
'Or she would call me over and point to an elephant eating from a palm tree and say 'mummy, be quiet, we're going to frighten him.'
'She had so much freedom.

Unique start: Tippi, aged one and a half drinking from her bottle among an elephant herd in Okavango Swamps, Botswana

Real life Mowgli: Tippi aged 6 sitting with J&B, a tame adult leopard in Namibia

Trip of a lifetime: Living with her French parents, wildlife photographers Sylvie Robert and Alain Degre, the three of them travelled extensively through Africa on a unique and incredible trip

Follow me: Tippi riding on Abu's neck as he leads his herd in Okavango Swamps, Botswana

'It was like having the biggest playground. We lived in a tent, completely in the wild, but she always woke up with the sun shining and her parents around her. She was very lucky.'
And the incredible photos - from sitting on the back of an ostrich, lying peacefully with a young caracal, or dancing playfully with an elephant - show an unusual bond and tranquility between man and beast.
'She was so at ease with animals. She would talk to them with her eyes and her heart,' said Sylvie.
Using her innocence and imagination, the young 'Mowgli' befriended one of the giants of the animal kingdom, Abu the African elephant.

'She had no fear,' said Sylvie.

Watching the world go by: The young child relaxes with her meerkat friend

Time out:  Tippi rests on the trunk of  Abu the 34-year-old  elephant in Okavango Swamps, Botswana before leading him on a trip

Brother: The images show the young girl making friends with an elephant, who she calls her brother, and a leopard, her best friend

'She did not realise she was not the same size as Abu the elephant. She would just speak to him like she would speak to me. They used to call her 'the little girl who would talk with animals.'
Tippi was able to form strong bonds with some of the most dangerous beasts in the animal kingdom because they were used to humans.
Most of the animals had been orphaned and raised by farmers.
However, despite the apparent ease and comfort with which they interact, Sylvie always put Tippi's safety first.

'You can't just meet any of these animals and act like this with them,' explains Sylvie.
'Wild animals will either run away or attack you if they are either frightened, injured or need to protect their young. 

At one with nature: Tippi aged 6 with her arms stretched out on Sea Bird Island, Africa

Change: When Tippi returned to her parents' native country - France - at the age of ten, it was hard adjusting to city life in Paris

Hop on: Linda, a tamed ostrich in South Africa takes Tippi for a ride on a sunny day

No fear: The young child cradles a rock python snake and plays with her favourite elephant

Relaxing: Cindy the baboon in Namibia is happily stroked by the child . Cindy attacked Tippi's hair and pulled out a handful

So always had to keep a special eye on her daughter.
'I had the least fear I wouldn't have let Tippi anywhere near them. The photo with Tippi next to the young lion cub Mufasa sucking her thumb is wonderful.
'The year after this photo we came back and we went to see him and he was huge.
'Mufasa came to Tippi and he friendly brushed her with his long tail, like a cat would do, and she almost fell down. I had to take her away - I was not at ease.
'But she was only ever bitten once on the nose by a Meerkat, only two bites!
'This is funny because Tippi's middle name is Okanti, meaning mongoose or meerkat. They were part of her family in Africa, so I wanted her to have something to take home with her.'
'The second incident was when she met with Cindy the baboon at a water point. Cindy attacked Tippi's hair and pulled out a handful, out of jealousy.
'That was terribly painful! Wild animals are unpredictable. We can't be sure of their reaction as we are not of the same species, we don't know all of
their behaviour codes.
'When we last went back to Africa in 2006 we went went to see some of the animals she met in the past, including Cindy the baboon.
'We found out that Cindy is a grandma now : my friend who has raised her like the baby of the family had twins. Cindy decided that she was in charge of them and, being older, became like a grandma for the kids.

'They met each other and Cindy went to Tippi and started playing with her hair, grooming her. It was quite beautiful.'

Skills: Tippi with the San Bushmen of northern Namibia shooting a bow and arrow in Namibia

Duties: The women and children of the San Bushmen of northern Namibia. The women and children are responsible for gathering fruits and berries from the wild in Namibia

Medical help: Tkui applying medicine made from berries to Tippi's eye in Namibia and shows her how to make a bow and arrow

Thirsty work: Tkui of the San Bushmen of northern Namibia, feeds Tippi water from a root plant in Okavango Swamps, Botswana

And it wasn't only the animals who were taken with the young Tippi, as Sylvie explains.
'When we came to a village with African children, within two minutes Tippi was the clown and people found her so cute,' she says.
'Africans love other children - especially white children and she was so much fun with her hair and so different.
'When we filmed the San Bushmen of northern Namibia (one of the most ancient people of Africa who live from hunting and gathering in the Kalahari desert) we would let Tippi spend the day with the group without us until she would fall asleep among. the kids.
'She was at ease with the children and would dress and play with them - she could never find the same when she came back to Europe.'
When Tippi returned to her parents' native country - France - at the age of ten, it was hard adjusting to city life in Paris.

'She missed the animals so much,' said her mother Sylvie.
'We didn't have room for a dog in our flat, so we got a budgie instead.
'It would go everywhere with her, even on the train, flying right by her side, sitting on her head or falling asleep on her shoulder.
'She loved that little bird so much. He was the only friend she had.'
Now aged 23 and studying her third year in a degree in cinema, Tippi is facing a different jungle ... the concrete one.
But the memories of her time in Africa - recorded in a series of interviews and written up into the book - will forever live on through its pages.
'She gave her heart and thoughts away in her book,' said Sylvie.
'It is like Mowgli's story, but for Tippi it's true.

Paris Jackson pictured with worrying self-harm scars on her arm weeks before suicide attempt

She tragically attempted to take her own life on Wednesday afternoon.
But it appears that Paris Jackson’s cry for help may have started some time ago.
In previously published pictures, the 15-year-old daughter of late singer Michael Jackson was seen six weeks ago with a crop of scars on her forearm – which appear to suggest she has been self-harming.
Paris, 15, has reportedly been on a psychiatric ward for 72 hours after she apparently cut her wrists on Wednesday.

Concerning: Paris Jackson was seen with worrying self-harm scars on her arms just a matter of weeks before she attempted to take her own life

Seen on a lunch date out with her birth mother, Debbie Rowe, at the Fire Island Grill in Palmdale, California, on April 28, rows of scars could clearly be seen on the troubled teenager's forearm as she raised it arm in her a rock sign.

Cry for help? The teenager's scarred forearm could clearly be seen as she raised her arm in the direction of the photographer's camera

Seen on a lunch date out with her birth mother, Debbie Rowe, at the Fire Island Grill in Palmdale, California, on April 28, rows of scars could clearly be seen on the troubled teenager's forearm as she raised it arm in her a rock sign.
Lines of marks - typically associated with self-harming - can be seen coursing down the teenager's arm from her wrist and almost reaching her elbow.
In the light of Paris's suicide bid, it would appear that the teenager had been in need of support for some weeks in the lead-up to the attempt.
The latest tragic turn her relatively short life is somewhat unsurprising given the personal struggles she has endured over the course of the last few years.
Not only did the teen lose her superstar father prematurely when he passed away in 2009, but she has also had to put up with a great deal of criticism surrounding her recent reconnection with her birth mother.
Paris began rebuilding her relationship with her mother, who signed custody of her children over to Michael after her divorce from the singer in 1999, following her father's tragic passing in 2009.
However, her elder brother Prince, 16, is said to have been less than understanding about Paris' desire to reconnect with their absent parent, causing a rift between the siblings.
A source told E! News: 'It's been a very difficult time. Paris has wanted Debbie in her life... She's a young girl and having a female mother figure has been something she has desired for as long as she can remember, but it has caused problems in the family.

Worrying: The scars were seen as the youngster headed out for lunch with her birth mother, Debbie Rowe, at the Fire Island Grill in Palmdale, California, on April 28

'It has caused some problems between Paris and Prince. It's a very personal choice for both of them and they do not see eye to eye on it at all. But Paris has believed from the start that it is something that Prince will come around to, that he will change his mind as he gets older.'
The source added that Paris felt 'alone and confused' after Prince refused to 'understand her wanting to have a relationship with her mom'.
Paris' grandmother Katherine, who is currently guardian of Paris and her two siblings Prince and Blanket, is also said to have been unsure about the relationship being rebuilt but 'understands that this is what Paris needs and she would not want to stand in her way.'
In fact, the teenager's relationship with the Jackson family is believed to have become so strained that it was recently claimed she will walk away from her relatives and 'never return' as soon as she turns 16.

Mark Lester, who is godfather to all three of Michael's children, recently told Grazia magazine: 'I'm sure when Paris hits 16 she will take herself out of that Jackson clan, walk out of that door and never turn back. She will never go back. I'm glad she's got Debbie Rowe in her life.

'Tough time': In the light of the youngster's suicide bid, it would seem she had been self-harming for some time in the lead-up to the attempt

'It appears to be the case that each family member has a different agenda. You've got all the brothers and sisters taking an interest in their lives now. I think it's inevitable when they reach 16, or when Katherine dies, that they will say to the rest of the family, "Back off, it's my life".
'It must be hard for Katherine, being an 83-year-old having teenage kids running around. It must be very difficult for her stepping in as a mother when she was always granny, which brings us back to Debbie Rowe. I think it's a good thing she's coming back on the scene, perfect timing.'
A source close to the teenager said that Paris wanted to be free of her family guardians after suffering from depression 'for some time' and felt 'unsolved' following the death of her father in June four years ago.
It has been revealed that being surrounded by various members of her family and their entourage had made the teenager feel 'alone' adding that she 'misses her father everyday.'

Bonding: Paris has been getting closer with her mother Debbie Rowe of late, seen here together last month

Spotted: Paris' mother Debbie Rowe was pictured outside her Palmdale ranch in California on Wednesday

Paris even asked for 'emancipation' from her family at one point, according to the US columnist Roger Friedman, who has strong sources close to the Jackson family.

Causing a rift: Paris' reconnection with her mother is believed to have caused issues with her brother Prince

The court action would have given Paris control over her own life before legally becoming an adult at 18.
Friedman also alleged that Debbie Rowe, 54, Paris's mother and ex-wife of Michael Jackson, could seek legal custody of her daughter removing her from the Jackson family compound in Calabasas.

A family insider is quoted as saying: 'She’s a handful for the Jacksons. They don’t know what to do. Paris suffers from depression. She’s lonely, she thinks no one loves her or is listening to her. She doesn’t want to be controlled or told what to do.'
According to reports, Paris 'didn't want to die' when she reportedly attempted to take her own life on Wednesday.
The LA County Sheriff's Department will have to class the call as a suicide bid due to Paris apparently cutting her wrists and taking a drugs overdose, sources told TMZ.com that Paris' contact with a suicide helpline is an indication that the incident was in fact a cry for help.
A law enforcement source told the website: 'She wanted attention, she wanted to be saved. It makes no sense if you really want to die to call a hotline, where the person on the other end will get an ambulance over to your house.'

Siblings: Prince Michael, Paris's brother (pictured right) has pulled out of a German television show following his sister's emergency

Family: Paris, seen here as a baby with mother Debbie Rowe, father Michael and brother Prince Michael, is said to have felt 'alone' according to an insider

While another family source has claimed to Fox that it was 'not the first time' Paris had attempted to take her own life.
Paris's paternal grandmother Katherine, 83, currently shares guardianship of her and her brothers Prince Michael, 16, and Blanket, 10, with TJ Jackson, the son of Michael’s brother, Tito.

On Thursday, Prince Michael canceled an appearance on German television, following his sister's troubles.

The teenager was scheduled to make a guest appearance on the ZDF show Wetten, dass …? (Wanna Bet?).

'Under these circumstances, we perfectly understand that Prince Michael prefers to stay close to his family,' ZDF's Silke Blömer told People.
'We wish Paris the strength and the power to recover soon.'

Meanwhile, the producer of what is set to be Paris's acting debut has said she 'will be ready' to start filming soon.

Guardian: Katherine Jackson, (center) pictured with LaToya Jackson (left), shares guardianship of Paris with TJ, the son of Tito Jackson

If Debbie Rowe, 54, seeks legal custody of her daughter Paris, she could leave the Jackson family compound in Calabasas

Author Dennis Christen is producing the film Lundon's Bridge and the Three Keys based on his own novel.

He told UsWeekly: 'Paris will do a delightful job in her role... She's been concentrating on developing her acting skills and is becoming a very proficient actor.'
The website also reports that Paris was conscious and aware when the ambulance arrived, and put up no struggle when the emergency technicians placed her on a stretcher and took her to the hospital.
Following the reported suicide bid, Paris' family released a statement saying the teenager is 'safe and doing fine' and is recovering in a Los Angeles hospital.

Tribute: Paris and her two brothers taking to the stage at the Michael Forever Tribute Concert, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, UK, in October 2011

Upbringing: Paris told Oprah Winfrey in a rare interview last year that her father Michael Jackson did everything he could to 'protect' his children

Celebrating: Paris, seen her enjoying a birthday with her Michael Jackson, is said to her miss her father 'everyday' according to an insider

The statement, released by Paris' grandmother Katherine Jackson's lawyer Perry Sander, did not refer to the nature of Paris' emergency, but said Michael Jackson's daughter is getting the 'appropriate medical attention'.
It read: 'Being a sensitive 15-year-old is difficult no matter who you are. It is especially difficult when you lose the person closest to you her father. Paris is physically fine and is getting appropriate medical attention. Please respect her privacy and the family’s privacy
'Thank you for the outpouring of concern and support for Paris. She is safe and doing fine. We truly appreciate you respecting our family’s privacy at this time.'

Hospital drama: Paris Jackson, pictured last month in Los Angeles, was rushed to hospital in the early hours of Wednesday morning after attempting suicide

Paris' mother Debbie Rowe, who was pictured speaking to police on Wednesday outside her Palmdale ranch in California, also released her own statement, which read: 'We appreciate everyone’s thoughts for Paris at this time and their respect for the family’s privacy.'
She also reportedly told police that Paris has had 'a lot going on lately'.
Scott Miller of the Los Angeles County Fire Department said an emergency call was made from the Jackson family compound in Calabasas, California, at 1.27am yesterday 'regarding a possible overdose’.
Paris was taken out of the house on a stretcher at 2am and rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital.
According to TMZ, a source connected to the emergency response said there were multiple cuts on one of the victim’s wrists.

Spotted: Paris' mother Debbie Rowe was pictured outside her Palmdale ranch in California on Wednesday

Police visit: The cops called around to the house to speak to Debbie about Paris' suicide bid

Alert: A police car is seen parked up outside the ranch earlier on Wednesday

Dark: Hours earlier Paris tweeted a series of alarming messages on Twitter, quoting the sorrowful Beatles song Yesterday

The reasons behind Paris' call for help reportedly stemmed from her being 'overwhelmed’ with sadness over the loss of her superstar father, according a friend of the Jackson family.
She is also in the middle of doing her exams at school and is anxious over her looming appearance in court in Los Angeles where she is due to testify in a trial connected with Jackson’s fatal overdose on June 25, 2009.
In addition, sources said she was upset at not being allowed to go to a concert by goth rocker Marilyn Manson.
She 'threw a fit’ after being told she couldn’t attend the concert on a school night and reportedly ran into her room screaming and slammed the door.
However, a source scoffed at the idea that the teen would resort to suicide over missing a concert, telling the New York Daily News: 'She’s very outgoing and has been spending time lately with Debbie and the animals. This is more just a kid acting out.’
On Thursday after learning about the incident Manson said in a message intended for Paris: 'I hope you feel better. You will be on my guest list anytime you want.'

Jackson compound: Paris was stretchered out from her Calabasas home to hospital at around 2am on Wednesday

Recovering: Paris is believed to be at the West Hills Medical Center recuperating and is said to to be 'doing ok'

The drama unfolded just hours after the teenager posted a series of alarming messages on Twitter.
At around midnight on Tuesday, she recited the sorrowful Beatles song Yesterday to her million plus followers, writing: 'Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away, now it looks as though they’re here to stay.’ An hour previously, she posted: 'I wonder why tears are salty.’
The backdrop to her Twitter page shows Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, painted while the artist was in a mental asylum in Saint-Remy, France.
The teen has posted a series of dark messages on Twitter over recent months.
In May she saluted Goth rocker Manson on her Twitter page, writing: 'Hey evil world,' while in another from that month she refers to Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, who committed suicide in 1994, as 'Jesus.'
In May she saluted Goth rocker Manson on her Twitter page, writing: 'Hey evil world,' while in another from that month she refers to Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, who committed suicide in 1994, as 'Jesus.'
In another angst-ridden tweet in February she hinted at heartache over a failed relationship, exclaiming: 'Here's to teenage romances and never knowing why they hurt like hell.'

 

Paris Jackson rushed to hospital after apparent suicide attempt

Teenage woes: Paris seen here during a recent web chat where she gave fans make-up tips

Jackson, who died in June 2009 from a lethal dose of surgical anaesthetic propofol, was married to Rowe from 1996 to 1999.

Devestated: Paris with her aunt Janet during the memorial service held for her father in Los Angeles in 2009

Rowe, 54, met Michael when she was a nurse for Dr Arnold Klein, the singer’s dermatologist. The pair had two children together, Prince Michael, now 16, in 1997 and Paris in 1998. Jackson later had a third child, Prince Michael II, also known as Blanket, who is ten.
Rowe turned over full custody of the children to Jackson as part of their divorce but she had recently rekindled her relationship with Paris. Rowe wouldn’t comment further on the incident yesterday.

'We appreciate everyone’s thoughts for Paris at this time and their respect for the family’s privacy,’ said her lawyer Eric George.
In recent weeks, the youngster's tweets have grown increasingly dark. On June 1, Paris tweeted: 'Every time i try to distract myself it never works and i end up making the same mistake i make every single night.’
The following day she wrote: 'I hate studying alone. i can’t focus…like i just tried studying and now i’m on twitter.’
'Don’t listen to a word i say the screams all sound the same,’ she tweeted on Monday from the song Little Talks by Of Monsters And Men.

On Sunday, she quoted the lyrics from a Zee Avi song Concrete Wall – 'You say I need therapy, well, my darling, so do you. Don’t need for you to tell me what is wrong in all I say or do.’

King Of Pop: Michael Jackson seen with daughter Paris in 2005 in London, four years before his death

The years since Jackson’s death have been anything but tranquil for the star’s children as they have faced one drama after another. Last year, the turmoil broke into the open when Paris and her two brothers were ambushed by the singer’s siblings and separated from their grandmother.
Panicked by the infighting, Paris tweeted at the time, 'my grandmother is missing. i haven’t spoken with her in a week i want her home now.’
It later emerged that Katherine was taken to her oldest daughter Rebbe’s home in Arizona.
Friends said Paris has been battling depression since her father’s sudden death. 'It’s very real and very sad. She has been extremely depressed and not been able to sleep lately, staying up all night,’ an insider told Us magazine. 'She misses her dad constantly and has acted out.’
Paris is listed as a potential witness in a £26.5billion lawsuit currently being brought by the Jackson family against AEG Live – the promoters behind her father’s doomed London O2 comeback tour.
The wrongful death suit, launched by Katherine Jackson and her three grandchildren, says the singer died from an overdose of prescription drugs after a punishing schedule of rehearsals prior to the tour.
Now in its sixth week, the trial has resurrected upsetting details surrounding the death, including the star’s dependence on drugs and his frail condition at the time of his death.

Bloodied and bruised schoolgirl, 13, when she had 48 stitches to her face after being attacked by a German

With a large scar and heavy bruising, schoolgirl Meghan Reynolds can be thankful that she is still alive.
The 13-year-old was enjoying an evening in a Sunderland park when a German Shepherd savagely attacked her.
With the youngster lying on the floor, the dog - which was being held by its owner on a long lead - began viciously biting her face.

Bruised: Meghan Reynolds, 13, needed 48 stitches after being savaged by a German Shepherd in Sunderland's Herrington Country Park

As the dog's owner forced his pet to let go, witnesses rushed to help the youngster.
She was eventually taken to hospital after a member of the public flagged down a passing police car - because an ambulance had still not arrived 40 minutes after the emergency call was made.
Meghan had to endure almost four hours of surgery following the attack in Herrington Country Park.

The brutal injuries resulted in the brave teenager needed 48 stitches to her face .
She said: 'It's a bit of a blur. I was with my friends, and one of them stroked the dog.
'The next I knew, it had grabbed me and I was on the floor with the dog attacking my face.'
Passers-by rushed to the youngster's aid, pressing a hoodie against the wound to stem the bleeding.

Upsetting: The teenager had to endure almost four hours of surgery following the savage attack . She is pictured with her mother Carol

Police officers drove Meghan to Sunderland Royal Hospital where her frantic mum Carol Reynolds was waiting.
The mum-of-five, from Grindon, said: 'I got a phone call at about 7pm, and I just went straight down to the hospital, but no one knew what was happening because the ambulance hadn't turned up. I was in a terrible state. It was horrendous.'
The attack happened on Friday evening after Meghan had been to a barbecue at a friend's house.
The owners of the dog, which has since been put down, are devastated by what happened and no one can understand why the animal, which has happily lived with children, turned on Meghan.
The plucky teenager said: 'It is a good thing it happened to me or it could have been a little child.
'The owner was really lovely. She sat holding me until the police car came and took me to hospital, and has sent me gifts and a card.'
Doctors won't be able to tell the extent to which Meghan will be scarred until all the swelling on her face has gone down.
Full-time mum, Carol, 38, who also has three sons, Connor, 17, Jack, 14, Michael, 11, and daughter, Jessica, seven, said: 'Meghan has been so amazing throughout it all. She hasn't cried once.
'You just never imagine anything like this happening.'
Grandfather George Reynolds, 62, who lives in Washington, said: 'We want to highlight this as a warning to others about what can happen, and for owners to be extra careful.'
A spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service said: 'We are very sorry for the delay at what must have been a terrifying experience for Meghan and her family.
'At the time of the incident, we had a very high volume of 17 calls to emergencies where the life of the person was in danger.'

Sexy Victoria Kimani set to sizzle

So much in love with BigbrotherAfrica  sooo cool

Set to sizzle the Big Brother Africa Live Show stage this Sunday is none other than Kenyan popstar Victoria Kimani.

Her performance comes hot on the heels of her nomination as the Most Promising Female Act at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, taking place in New York city later this year.

The young Kenyan lass has been burning up the African music charts with her singles "Mtoto" and “Oya”. The latter was just recently released and features her fellow Chocolate City label-mate MI Abaga.

The ever busy singer/songwriter splits her time between Kenya, Nigeria, Los Angeles and Atlanta. Her impressive résumé includes collaborations with international artists such as Busta Rhymes, Marlon Winans, Chris Brown, Cassie, A.I (from Japan), DJ Green Lantern and Diggy Simmons among others.

Catch the Live Show this Sunday on DStv channels 197 and 198 at 20:00 CAT.

Joselyn Dumas

Joselyn Dumas

New look on African Woman Magazine feature

Allow Gays Sexual Freedom In Ghana

A Ghanaian Associate Professor at the University of South Florida has likened sexual orientation to immutable characteristics such as race or gender. Dr. Edward argues that sexual orientation is no more considered a lifestyle choice, adding that homosexuals are today seen as legitimate groups whose inalienable human rights are to be accorded. he made these remarks at a seminar on the topic: Human Rights and the Debate over Dignity and Social Order in Africa at the University of Ghana on Wednesday June 5, 2013. He said human rights issues have expanded since the later part of the 20th century and called on Africans to adapt to the changing global   so bad

Artist immortalises Kim Kardashian's nude pregnant body

She's never been one to shy away from showing her body.
But an LA artist's new creation may be a step too far for even fame-hungry Kim Kardashian.
The pregnant reality star's nude form has been preserved in all it's glory by celebrity artist Daniel Edwards.

Immortalised: Kim Kardashian's pregnant form was sculpted by celebrity artist Daniel Edwards for his show L.A. Fertility opening in Los Angeles at the LAB Art Gallery, on Wednesday

Eye of the beholder: The artist says he finds Kim's full figure and curves to be 'the ultimate symbol of fertility'

The sculptor's new show L.A. Fertility features a life size nude of Kim - and the artist's imagined version of her unborn foetus.
The art pieces debut in Los Angeles at the LAB Art Gallery, on Wednesday, and visitors are encouraged to 'give a respectful rub' on Kim's baby bump for 'good luck and success'.

The statue, which boasts 'lactiferous breasts' and a 'voluminous' belly, according to the artist's press release was inspired by Edwards desire to change peoples minds about the female form.

Admirer: Edwards stated he was 'put-off by the media's criticism' of Kim's 'weight gain during pregnancy', the reality star pictured in Los Angeles, in May

L.A. fertility: The buff features 'lactiferous breasts' and a 'voluminous' belly to entice art-goers to rub Kim's baby bump, according to the artist

'I was inspired by the beauty of Kim Kardashian and felt quite put-off by the media’s criticism of her weight gain during pregnancy,' Edwards said on his website.
Adding: 'Such criticism should be off limits.'
The artist went on to explain to Los Angeles Magazine: 'People tend to look at the parts, like the creases in her armpits, or how she wore a dress that makes her look like a killer whale.
'I'm stripping it of the details people get stuck on, so they can see the beauty.'

Premonitory exhibition: The show includes a pre-natal portrait of Kate Middleton and Prince William's child wearing a crown (L) as well as a bronze of Kim and Kanye's baby (R) in utero

Replica: Edwards posed for a snap cradling his depiction of Kim and Kanye West's unborn fetus as he struck a pose next to his pregnant statue

But he also wants art goers to get a tactile feel for his homage, saying he wanted visitors to rub Kim's belly in a kind of 'reference to Buddha' as he sees the Kardashian as 'the ultimate symbol of fertility'.

The exhibit also features a bronze of Edwards' imagining of Kim and Kanye West's foetus and is joined by another in utero portrait of Kate Middleton and Prince William's unborn child - wearing the crown Queen Elizabeth wore as a princess
The artist's publicist stated: 'We live in a media-absorbed culture where anyone can access and share a celebrity's most intimate moments.
'Daniel visually captures that intimacy.'

Glamour shot: Kim posted a selfie to Instagram on the day of the art opening with the caption 'Side parting it today'

Bejewelled: Edwards adorned his creation with a headpiece and earrings

Edwards first shot to fame for his controversial statue of Britney Spears giving birth to her son Sean Preston as she crouched naked on a bear skin rug, in 2006.
Some of his other famous works include a bronze nude of Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, still teenagers at the time, with a Canadian maple leaf and a Texas lone star covering their most intimate parts, in 2011.
And in 2009, he made a statue of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in a lovers' embrace titled simply Brangelina.

Attention stealer: The artist first came to prominence with a 2006 sculpture of a nude Britney Spears giving birth on a bearskin rug