Wimbledon Student Creates Heroic Bust

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Jeans for Genes Amabassador is subject of bust

Wimbledon art student, Dagmar Bennett has created a bust of Jeans for Genes Ambassador Adam Pearson, who has type one Neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that causes the growth of excess body tissue.

The Wimbledon College of Arts student created the bust of Adam (right) in her final degree year and the work was showcased at an exhibition at the college, earlier this summer.

Jeans for Genes ambassador Adam, aged 29, from Croydon, is an actor, television caster, researcher, public speaker and campaigner against stigma for people with visible facial differences.

Dagmar (pictured below with Adam and her artwork) said: "On the surface it may seem that appearance can often be equated with success. However, representations of beauty, appearance and disfigurement are conditional.

"In the UK today, over 540,000 people have a facial disfigurement, many of whom are stigmatised and discriminated against. Perceptions need to change - people with a disfigurement should be valued as equal – and art can be a powerful tool to change perceptions. 

"For the final year of my degree I created a heroic bust of Adam Pearson, an actor, television caster/researcher, public speaker and campaigner against stigma for people with a visible facial difference. He has type one Neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that causes excess body tissue to grow predominantly on his face.

"After hearing his story, I felt inspired by his positive attitude, bravery and determination to break down barriers regarding how people with disfigurement are viewed and treated. In my portrait I want to capture these personal qualities, show him as an individual and help change perceptions on people with disfigurement. 

"British portraiture has mostly been white, middle aged men; impervious icons of British solidarity. I aim to challenge this tradition by creating a non-conventional portrait representing the visual diversity of today's heroes."

Now Dagmar is trying to find somewhere to put the bust back on show. If you have any suggestions, email editor@wimbledonsw19.com and we'll put you in touch.

Jeans for Genes Day is celebrating its 20th year of fundraising for children with genetic disorders on Friday 18th September 2015 and this year a host of celebrities are backing the campaign.

Over the last 20 years, a sea of denim has crept across the UK as the British public have taken up the Jeans for Genes Day banner and helped raise over £40million.

For more information on how to get involved, visit http://www.jeansforgenesday.org/getinspired/ambassadors#adampearson.

August 16, 2015