Alternative Limb Project turns artificial limbs into unique art

The Alternative Limb Project is a unique service providing bespoke and realistic prosthetics that can act as a functional piece of your body or a one of a kind piece of artwork.

The limbs are the work of Sophie De Oliveira Barata who works in collaboration with each wearer to design and produce prosthetics that are created with each wearer’s personal interests, imagination and creativity in mind.

The Alternative Limb Project recognises the barriers that amputees and people living with prosthetics can feel. The alternative limbs provide a talking point and unusual and bespoke limbs can help to engage people in interaction with amputees when they ordinarily may not start a conversation.

Sculpting realistic prosthetics and unique limbs

Sophie has an extensive history studying art and has a first class degree achieved at University of Arts in London where she studied special effects for film and television. She then spent eight years sculpting realistic prosthetics whilst working as a sculptor for a leading prosthetic company before deciding to create her own unique limbs.

Sophie has been making alternative prosthetics for almost 12 years and since starting the Alternative Limb project, one quarter of her work has consisted of alternative limbs, the rest realistic looking limbs.

Speaking about her work she said: “When I worked for RSL Steeper, I made an average of 150 realistic per year during a period of eight years; this included fingers, partial hands, feet as well as full arm and leg covers. I've probably made about 60 limbs in the three and half years since I started working for myself and have spent more time on each job and involve the client in the process.”

The project is designed for anyone who requires a prosthetic limb and Sophie has had enquiries from young and older people alike, whilst the project also appeals to children due to its unique nature where all limbs are bespoke and designed by the individual. Limbs can be colourful, decorated with cartoons or drawings and have secret compartments or features and as children are continuously growing, can be updated regularly.

Sophie’s creations, both realistic limbs designed to be as close to the wears skin tone and texture as possible and also her alternative limbs, appeal to both men and women although the limbs are more popular with women, however there has been interest from male military personnel who have been injured during conflict.

Sophie continued: “I have a team of freelancers that help depending on what skills are needed for the alternative limbs. Depending on the type of prosthesis, I can usually product two complete limb covers per month and the average cost is £4,500 for a full arm or leg cover, however the most expensive limb that I’ve ever made cost £6,000.”

Commissions from clients in and outside of the UK

Previous prosthetics created by Sophie include legs, arms, feet, fingers, hands, toes and she once had a request for a bottom. The commissions come as a result of private requests from clients in and outside of the UK or through four UK based prosthesis centres.

The Alternative Limb Project has drawn attention from across the UK and across the globe since it began, Louise Bruton lives in Ireland and has an Alternative Limb.

Speaking about how she came across the project, she said: "I came across the Alternative Limb Project when I was just browsing online. The images of the other limbs really caught my eye and I bookmarked the page. I kept thinking about what it would be a like to have a leg made by Sophie and eventually I emailed her, just to ask about prices.

"I met with Sophie first in March of 2014 but we had been emailing since October of 2013. Before I met her, I emailed her about 50 images of things I liked, gothic churches, Beyoncé rocking Versace, gold jewellery, Victorian dresses and I also sent her images of me so she could see what my style was like.

"When I met her for the first time, we were going to go with a sort of Daft Punk chrome black and gold leg but when I left our first meeting my leg was going to be like a tattooed, Edwardian lady! Slowly but surely, we came up with a wonderful leg and the plan started to fall into place. Sophie sent me some sneak peek images over the next few months. By August of 2014, 'she' was going to music festivals in Ireland and I also brought 'her' on a road trip to America. Oh! I refer to my leg as a she. Her name is Priscilla!"

’I save my fancy leg for special occasions’

Louise has one regular limb for day-to-day use and her alternative limb for special occasions, she continued: "I save my fancy leg, as I call it, for special occasions like parties, festivals or weddings. It has some delicate 3D pieces so I can't wear it all of the time, just in case I damage it. It has a few tattered bits already but they actually add to it quite nicely. It can only really be worn with skirts, dresses or shorts so I plan entire outfits around the leg, rather than just throwing it on. It's always going to be the centerpiece to the outfit it's with."

The reaction to Louise's unusual limb has largely been intrigue, she said: "People are fascinated by it. It's such a decadent piece of art and the fact that it has such an important function (being a leg), it makes it all the more impressive. People want to look at it and touch it and want to know the whole story behind it. Normally when people find out that you had an amputation, they steer the conversation in a different direction but now it's a point of interest and celebration.

’When you have an alternative limb, it is screaming to be showed off’

"It's over the top, it's flamboyant, it's graceful and it's loud. No medical prosthetic leg could ever be like that. Medical limbs are begging to be covered up because they don't always look so realistic but when you have an alternative limb, it is screaming to be showed off.

"I am toying with the idea of getting a new leg made by Sophie. She does such wonderful work and I know I'll be keeping in contact with her for years to come. I'm 27 now so I might want one later on in life to represent new milestones or events."

Sophie often collaborates with artists specialising in a range of techniques, including graphic designers, laser cutters, wood and metal workers. Recently one of Sophie’s most recognisable collaborations was with amputee singer and model Viktoria Modesta.

Sophie has produced a number of limbs for Victoria including a crystal encrusted leg for the Paralympics closing ceremony, a limb that was also featured in Channel 4’s music video, 'Prototype' produced by Rogue Films and directed by Saam Farahmand. In the video, Viktoria wears two other alternative limbs including a black spiked leg and a light-up leg.

Many of the alternative limbs that Sophie makes are created as a decorative accessory but some have working features and there are plans to make them more functional in the future.

The cost of limbs through The Alternative Limb Project can be privately funded or could be funded through a legal or insurance claim under the Rehabilitation Code by means of installments.

For more information, visit: www.thealternativelimbproject.com