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NEW YORK, N.Y., Sept. 17 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- First Lady hopeful Michelle Obama receives an "Inaugural Ball" makeover for providing a makeover to the face of the U.S. The sexy, bare-shouldered style-enhancement highlights Obama's ethnicity to create a new fashion template for the 21st Century First Lady, and is the latest installment of sculptor Daniel Edwards' "Inspire America" series, courtesy of Manhattan's Leo Kesting Gallery.

"Michelle Obama's Makeover for America" presents an accessorized mannequin bust of Obama that foregoes the conventional pearl necklace, and provides for her a "signature look" to take to Washington. "The goal is to create a look for Michelle Obama that eliminates excessive comparisons to Jackie Kennedy," said Edwards, who studied under the tutelage of legendary fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez, "like supermodel Tyra Banks's photos in Harper's Bazaar, or the puzzling comment from CBS's Byron Pitts that recommended 'less Jackee, more Jackie O.'"

A pearl-studded Afro pick, shaped like an eagle, demonstrates the makeover's fashion mix of Black African and White House heritage to reinvigorate the traditional First Lady pearls. A tight, spiral-textured mane complements Michelle Obama's likeness, with the pearl Afro pick placed modishly askew in a Nefertiti-esque hairstyle. Included are big hoop earrings shaped like O's that seem to suggest, according to a gallery spokesman, "Look out Oprah, a new 'Lady O's' in charge."

Adorning the breasts of Michelle Obama's bust are temporary tattoos, of which an American flag is depicted, to compensate for Barack's pin-free lapels. Additional breast tattoo designs for Mrs. Obama, by Chicago tattoo artist Alex Higgins, will also be exhibited.

"Michelle Obama inspires a fashion template change that many First Ladies of the 21st Century may follow, as we witness minorities in this country becoming the majority," added the spokesman.

Accusing British Museum of Racism

"As a professor at the New York Academy's Graduate School of Figurative Art, I teach my students that the gold is found in the people who inspire us," says Edwards. In an open letter to the British Museum at www.LeoKesting.com charging racism, Edwards suggests, "In the spirit of friendly global interaction, sculptor Marc Quinn should make amends to humanity by melting down his 2.8 million dollar gold cast of Kate Moss."

"The sculpture of someone like Michelle Obama doesn't need to be cast in gold for people to understand its value," said Edwards, whose past works from the "Inspire America" series include "The Presidential Bust of Hillary Rodham Clinton" featured at www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4R-8MUs4R8, the "Oprah Sarcophagus," and "The Iraq War Memorial" featuring a war-dead Prince Harry clutching the cameo-locket of his late mother, Princess Diana.

Gallery Unveiling

UNVEILING of "Michelle Obama's Makeover for America" is October 1st, opening reception October 2nd, at Leo Kesting Gallery, 812 Washington St. www.LeoKesting.com. For info call 860-564-0123 or 917-650-3760.

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*(Photo caption: "Makeover for America" by Daniel Edwards.)

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NEWS SOURCE: Leo Kesting Gallery

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PRESS RELEASE PERMALINK: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/2008-09-0917-001.shtml

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