An exhibition exploring the world of conjoined twins, Joint Account, is to open at the Old Operating Theatre museum in Southwark, London, later this month.
The sculptor Shelley Wilson aims to show the psychological effects of being a conjoined twin and the trauma that such twins suffer in wanting both to be separated from their twin and to remain as one. She emphasises that she is not actually sculpting historical or living conjoined twins but using such twins as a metaphor for life.
The main exhibit of wax sculptures is being held in the Old Operating Theatre, next to Guy's Hospital, which is Britain's oldest operating theatre and which was hidden for almost a century in the garret of St Thomas's Church. It was rediscovered in 1956 and has subsequently been used as a museum, along with the adjoining herb garret, where medicinal herbs were processed.
Joint Account is open from 10 March to 9 April at the Old Operating Theatre, 9a St Thomas Street, London SE1. More information is at www.thegarret.org.uk/shelleywilson.htm.