Abstract

The ‘Art of Reconstruction Research Project’ is where
re-skilling of plastic surgeons by artists is already in
an embryonic phase. In integrating the required
network of associated skills, expertise and
experience, the research collaboration brings
together artists within The Drawing Research Group of
The Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design (AAD) and
the distinguished work of Professor Mike Esson,
Director, The International Drawing Research Institute
(IDRI). These will be working with members of the UK
Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgeons (BAPRA) and members of the Royal College
of Surgeons through a comprehensive workshop and
seminar programme. Building from the success and
feedback of an initial provisional workshop for
surgeons in November 2009 this project is structured
as a pilot study to develop a new research network
that will extend the application of the visual arts in
medicine enabling the development and treatise of
the intersection of art and science in respect of the
new practice based ideas and concepts currently
formulating in plastic surgery. This pilot study
represents the first “substantiation" stage within this
overarching objective and 4 strategic activities are
identified:
Professor Mike Esson
1. Design and delivery of a three day comprehensive
workshop for surgeons in the field of reconstructive
and cosmetic surgery; integrating both training and
investigation of aesthetic principles, questioning
canons of proportion and beauty, together with the
introduction of practical skills through the languages
of drawing and sculpture. Through established
drawing and modelling disciplines and techniques
surgeons will be introduced to formal aesthetic
principles and strategies for dealing with
interpretation of structure and space. It will provide an
accessible, tactile and visual experience, the focus of
which deals with proportion, negative space, contour,
methods of graphic representation, and in three
dimensions; notions of deconstruction and
reconstruction. There will also be an investigation of
the dynamic geometric solids of facial features and an
understanding visual tension.
2. A two weeks public exhibition following the
workshop, providing additional feedback and
consultation to provide the starting point of the critical
review assessment. 6 month follow up and review
phase enabling a qualitative analyses of the benefits
and outcomes of the thematic approaches adopted
within the workshop.
3. A one day seminar, inviting all workshop
participants and invited specialists and academics
midway through the review phase to assess and
develop the thematic research questions in respect of
a roadmap for further progress and uptake.
4. This will be closely followed by a smaller workshop
involving key partners and participants at the project
end to further develop the thematic areas and best
practice indicators against the perceived benefits.