An exhibition of 30 paintings by Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty, 29, opened in Paris today. Many of the artworks featured Doherty’s ex, Kate Moss, in various states of undress and most were spattered in the artist’s blood - a technqiue that’s been called bioart. The works also featured incoherent scribblings that appear to relate to the artist’s relationship with Moss. Doherty couldn’t make the opening, as he was still serving a 14 week sentence in Wormwood Scrubs for breaching the terms of his probabtion. More on the art of self mutilation - and pics of Doherty’s frightful daubs - after the jump.

This piece, called “Ms Moss reclines” shows Kate Moss topless. Rubbish isn’t it?

The writing in the left hand corner babbles incoherently about Moss including such phrases as “a kick off is hinted at. She’s not been tetchy at all then… only firing up my heart, inspiring and exciting my soul”.

The artist also signed his name in blood with a hypodermic syringe. The art of self-mutilation has been around for decades. Bodily fluids find their way into the work of Gilbert and George and Robert Mapplethorpe., while artistic self-mutilation reached some kind of nadir in 1972 when photos emerged that appeared to show artist Rudolf Schwarzkogler cutting slices off his penis. By the time they shots went public, he had already committed suicide. But why does someone like Doherty want to use his blood in his art? Is it a form of aesthetic self-hatred?