Layers of Perception: SURGE III

These two works are the product of an eight month artist residency and collaboration with phD scientist Morenike Magbagbeola, the Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Surgical and Interventional Science, The University of the Arts London Post Graduate Community and a group of prosthetic limb users.

One piece represents the lab-perspective of research; contained, categorized, organized and precise. The other represents our human experience; expansive, messy, confusing. The underpinning research is on self-adaptive sensory robotics for traumatic amputees. During our collaboration we focused on the multiple layers of connection necessary for a prosthetic to work. Engraved layers represent mechanical and electrical signaling, painted layers show chem- ical signaling, support systems, pain and healing while melted layers suggest phantom limb pain. The works communicate the complexity of touch perception and the layered nature of healing, both psychologically and biologically.