Surgical instruments: handsome or horrible? Their contrasting connotations as objects of both beauty and dread are explored in a new exhibition at the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons in London.
In The Dreadful and the Divine: A visual exploration of surgical instruments, photographic artist Elaine Duigenan, Artist-in-residence at the Royal College, showcases large, creative images of instruments from the Hunterian, including forceps and amputation knives. She uses innovative techniques, such as printing on mirror, to invite the viewer to consider the tools simultaneously as objects of butchery and healing.
The exhibition consists of series’ and single images and also features a light installation projecting shadows of surgical tools on the gallery ceiling. Visitors can also view a set of amputation instruments from 1870.
“Since becoming the Artist in Residence at the College I have become engrossed in the meaning of surgery as ‘hand-work’ and surgical instruments as an extension of a surgeon’s hands,” says Duigenan. “My experimental image making reveals the intricate relationship between that which opens the body, and what puts it back together again.”
The Dreadful and the Divine: A visual exploration of surgical instruments runs at the Hunterian from 23rd September to 23rd December, 2010.
The exhibition is supported by a programme of lectures, artist and surgeon’s tours, hands-on workshops and a performance evening, all exploring the practical and metaphorical nature of surgical instruments.
This exhibition is funded by an Arts Award from the Wellcome Trust.
Image credit: Elaine Duigenan
Filed under: Event, History of Medicine, Public Engagement Tagged: Hunterian museum, Photography, Royal College of Surgeons, Surgery
