Manhandling the brain: Psychiatric neurosurgery in the mid-20th century

2016 marked 75 years since the first UK pre-frontal leucotomy, a procedure introduced in Portugal in 1935. Over the next 30 years 70,000 people with psychiatric problems were operated on. This art/historical project by Ken Barrett explored these events, alongside their healthcare and academic context. The installation was held in Queen Square Library June-September 2016. Please see exhibition handout and Ken Barrett’s website for further information.

Manhandling the brain

Manhandling the brain

2016 Montage of images from the exhibition Manhandling the Brain, 2016 Ken Barrett Manhandling the brain - QSA/19470

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VB

VB

2016 The first man in the UK to receive a pre-frontal leucotomy in 1941. From the exhibition "Manhandling the Brain" Ken Barrett VB - QSA/19473

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Bedlam

Bedlam

2016 Drawings and model based on photographs taken in the state mental hospitals in Philadelphia and Ohio, from the Life article "Bedlam 1946". From the exhibition "Manhandling ...

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4468: 2757: 169

4468: 2757: 169

2016 Mixed media work based on the number of pre-frontal leuctomies performed in the UK 1948-52: from the exhibition "Manhandling the Brain" Ken Barrett 4468: 2757: 169 - QSA...

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Tools

Tools

2016 Models of five instruments used to perform pre-frontal leucotomy. From the exhibition Manhandling the Brain Ken Barrett Tools - QSA/19471

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Something more wonderful

Something more wonderful

2016 Six illustrations based on extracts from Golla's 1943 monograph. From the exhibition "Manhandling the Brain" Ken Barrett Something more wonderful - QSA/19472

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Tentative operatoires

Tentative operatoires

2016 Mixed media work based on figures and data from Moniz's 1936 monograph. From the exhibition "Manhandling the Brain" Ken Barrett Tentative operatoires - QSA/19474

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