Snake arms and crystal legs: Artificial limbs push boundaries of art

Story highlights London designer Sophie de Oliveira Barata creates artistic limbs for amputees From snake arms to floral legs, she challenges perceptions of prostheses Model Viktoria Modesta wore crystal leg to Paralympics closing ceremony De Oliveira Barata says alternative limbs have psychological benefits London CNN — With her flaming red hair, Marilyn Monroe figure, and lurid green snake casually coiled around the arm, Jo-Jo Cranfield looks like a real-life muse emerging from a Salvador Dali painting. From stereo legs to feather arms, Sophie de Oliveira Barata’s Alternative Limb Project crosses into the realm of surrealist art, yet with a very important function. “It’s drawing attention to their disability in a positive way,” said de Oliveira Barata. “Having an alternative limb is about claiming control and saying ‘I’m an individual and this reflects who I am.’” Having an alternative limb is about claiming control and saying ‘I’m an individual and this reflects who I am.’ Sophie de Oliveira Barata, Alternative Limb Project Superhuman De Oliveira Barata’s remarkable work was thrust into the international spotlight last year when model and singer Viktoria Modesta wore her Swarovski crystal leg at the London Paralympics closing ceremony.