The Faces of Surgery artwork is unveiled

A new artwork, The Faces of Surgery, has been unveiled at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, celebrating the surgical profession’s past, present, and future.

Earlier this year, the College commissioned The People’s Picture to create an artwork that tells the story of the people who make the College what it is. Thousands of surgeons sent in photographs, keen to be part of the project.

“I really enjoyed this project,” said Artist, Helen Marshall, “it has a special significance to me because I personally love creating images on the theme of medicine, science and the humanities. To me, this was such a perfect opportunity to create a scientific iconic image, that of a simple surgical instrument, yet with such a ‘community and people focus’. The fact that so many members sent in their pictures and selfies was in itself highly motivating. I hope everyone enjoys the work of art for many years to come”

Jackie Weller, Executive Director of RCS England said, “The final artwork is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The Faces of Surgery not only beautifully encapsulates our College’s rich history but also celebrates the remarkable diversity within our membership, volunteers, employees and donors. It’s a powerful testament to the strength of our community and their dedication to excellence in surgical care.”

We want to thank the members of our community for contributing images to the Faces of Surgery project and encourage them to visit our Home of Surgery to find themselves within the mosaic.

The Faces of Surgery can also be explored virtually on The People’s Picture website.