An art gallery showing Barbie dolls being abused has sparked so much controversy the exhibit had to be moved indoors.
The exhibit, located along Middlesbrough's Hillstreet shopping centre, was created to raise awareness on violence against females.
It shows an array of pictures hanging above a bed of pink flowers featuring pictures of Barbie dolls suffering abuse.
One image shows a Ken doll kicking a Barbie doll who is lying helplessly on the ground.
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Directors of the Pineapple Black gallery were forced to remove the exhibit from a window display, mainly from parents who said the images were to graphic for children.
The exhibit, created by artist Lidia Lidia, was set up to show the "realities that a lot of women and young girls actually end up living in".
Co-directors Bobby Benjamin and Stephen Irving said that despite complaints they had received overwhelming support for highlighting the important issue.
Bobby said: "If we made a mistake, it was to run it during half term when a lot more children would be passing the gallery but it wasn't something that was intentional.
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"We knew it would provoke and be controversial, but we felt it was important to open up that debate.
"What I wanted the piece to do is to get people to talk about these crimes against women - domestic violence, FGM, trafficking.
"I'm a dad, I've got boys, and Stephen (co-director) is a dad, we came from that perspective and personally I wanted my kids to see this."
He continued: "That story was incredibly sad, and the details were on the front page of The Gazette in all of the shops, for anyone to see.
"Violence against women is not something that's abstract, it's real life, happening right here on our doorstep.
"I think it's important that young people understand that message."
Stephen added: "Obviously the imagery uses Barbies so is very appealing, but the questions raised by the images may not be something people feel comfortable about discussing with their children.
"We decided as both curators, artists and parents that this exhibition was an important one and deserved to be displayed.
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"We were completely open with the Hillstreet that it may result in some complaints but they were supportive and willing to let us take the risk.
"The work is still amazing, the message still important, and we have many supportive and praising comments about the display as well."
The exhibit launched on April 10 and will now be held inside a former New Look shop at Hillstreet shopping centre until May 11.
