%0 Journal Article
%T Prosthetic limbs on display: from maker to user
%A Sophie Goggins
%A Tacye Phillipson
%A Samuel J M M Alberti
%D 2018
%V 
%N Autumn 2017
%K disability
%K prosthetics
%K users
%K war
%X Prosthetic devices have been used in museums to tell clinical, technical and personal stories. Here we reflect on the ways artificial limbs and their users were represented in recent museum projects at the Royal College of Surgeons of England and at National Museums Scotland. We consider how these meaningful artefacts illuminate three overlapping themes in museum scholarship and practice: the representation of disabled people and disability in museums; reflections on conflict-acquired limb loss; and the presence or otherwise of user or patient voice in interpretation. In working with and representing people who design and wear prosthetics we advocate a balance between narratives of technique and of use.
%Z Sam Alberti project managed War, Art and Surgery; Tacye Phillipson curated Reconstructing Lives and co-curated Shaping our World; Sophie Goggins co-curated Technology by Design. Our thanks also to Elsa Cox, Stewart Emmens, Louise Innes, Xerxes Mazda, Julia Midgley and two referees. Views expressed are the authors’ own, and do not necessarily reflect those of their colleagues on these projects, nor the institutions involved.

%Z Julia Midgley email to Sam Alberti, 22 December 2016

%Z Reconstructing Lives, exhibition text, 2012 (quoting 2008), National Museums Scotland

%Z All from Reconstructing Lives exhibition comments books 2012–13, National Museums Scotland

%Z Chris Moon MBE, Reconstructing Lives exhibition video, recorded 2012, National Museums Scotland

%Z Shaping our World, gallery text, 2011, National Museums Scotland

%Z Allan Shannon email to Sophie Goggins, 7 April 2016

%Z Yvonne Kavanagh email to Sophie Goggins, 11 April 2016

%I The Science Museum Group
%@ 2054-5770
%B eng
%U https://journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk/article/prosthetic-limbs/
%J Science Museum Group Journal