A
sculptor from Devon has started helping plastic surgeons to look at
their work from an artist's point of view.
The sculptor, Luke Shepherd, has been teaching members of the Royal
College of Surgeons by holding courses to perfect their technique.
Luke's picturesque studio in Ashburton was a world away from an operating
theatre - until a surgeon saw his work. Now he's helping the Royal
College of Surgeons with courses for some of its members involved
in reconstructive work.
 |
|
Luke
says it benefits the surgeons to use their hands to shape
the sculptures
|
Now art and medicine
are working together to help patients. Luke says the courses are going
well, "The benefits of the course are really to help them perceive
properly and then use their hands to put the shapes they see into
the flesh and skin that they use", he says. "One of the
surgeons at the end of the course said you can do plastic surgery
quite easily but sculpting is really hard".
 |
|
Retired
Surgeon Ron Piggott who
spotted Luke's work
|
Luke's style is
precise - using measurements to get the likeness of whoever he's studying.
That was considered perfect by the man who spotted his work and asked
him to help the college, retired surgeon Ron Piggott; "When people
come into a studio and have clay in their hands which they can throw
away - something you can't do with bits of people - it allows them
to concentrate their mind on the aesthetics of what they do rather
than simply keeping bits of skin alive" he says.
Now Luke's established work with certain celebrities and politicians
has taken a new dimension. Surgeons are using his skills to actually
shape the faces of others and make a difference to their lives. |
