Priscilla Sutton

Spare Parts is an exhibition that brings together a diverse range of artists all using pre-loved prosthetic limbs as their canvas. It is considered to be the first exhibition of its kind in the world, and was originally held in Brisbane, Australia in 2010. The success of this first exhibition has led the curator, Priscilla Sutton, to take the idea to London in its most exciting year – 2012!

The prosthetics are donated from amputees, families of amputees and clinics from all around the world. This has proven to be a fun and therapeutic way for people to clean out their closet and get rid of old limbs, without them ending up in the trash. For many amputees a prosthetic becomes a big part of their life, some may even say a close friend. So when they are superseded they are often left in the shed or cupboard to collect dust, because it's hard to break up with them! And for some people, they just don't know what to do with the old ones. Prosthetics are custom made to fit an individual amputee and Spare Parts gives them a second life after retirement, an opportunity to live on and be part of something special.

The exhibition aims to not only recycle old arms and legs into new and exciting artworks but also to create an open and positive conversation, celebrating prosthetics and how much can be achieved by using them.

Spare Parts will be held at The Rag Factory in London from 25 August – 9 September 2012.

There is an opportunity to expand the exhibition space, and therefore invite additional artists and amputees to get involved.

Some of the original works from 2010 will be coming along for the ride, but for the most part Priscilla has engaged new artists and collected new prosthetics for London. 

To bring the exhibition to life once more, and on the other side of the world, has taken considerable investment. Spare Parts is possible by corporate sponsorship, Government funding, and generous support of its many fans and followers. There is a fundraising gig at the Zoo in Brisbane in June, raffle packs up for grabs, a market day at dogstar (local Brisbane designer), and now Pozible.

Priscilla has been an amputee since 2005, after having elective surgery to remove a worsening bone condition. It is the best decision she has ever made, and now leads a very active life with the use of a below knee prosthetic leg. Priscilla volunteers her time 100%. All funds raised are invested into the exhibition.

You can see and read more about the exhibition, and Priscilla, here: www.spareparts2012.com 

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If you have any questions please get in touch, we'd love to hear from you.

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Here are some larger pictures of our rewards:

This is one of the artworks from the 2010 exhibition. Artist is Rachi Brains, a popular tattoo artist based in Brisbane:

This is a limited edition catalogue from the Warhol exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in 2007. It is number 209 of 1000. 

We have had a limited number of Spare Parts shirts made to sell at our fundraising events! We have a men's medium and a women's large (but it is more like a medium) up for grabs.

We also have programs from the 2012 exhibition available. For more info on any of these click on the item of interest on the menu to your right.