A FORMER hunchback who had part of her spine removed will become a living art exhibit at the Fringe. Penny Bateman has overcome her fear of taunts for being a “freak” to show her scars in public as the centrepiece of an exhibition.
In an eight-month series of operations, Ms Bateman had several ribs removed, discs taken out of her spine and an 18in metal rod inserted. The rod was then fused to the remainder of her spine with portions of her ribs.
She had been ashamed of her scars, denying that the operation had taken place, but wanted to use the show to “come out” and confront people who made fun of her condition.
She will sit for up to six hours at a time locked inside a 4ft high metal box of her own design. Visitors will be able to see the scar, which runs from her neck to the small of her back, through a one-way mirror on one side. In one corner of her back will be the signature of her surgeon.
The exhibit, Masterpiece, will be displayed in the foyer of The Point hotel in Central Edinburgh.
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Ms Bateman said: “I was angry and bitter, but I wanted to confront the stigma of deformities,” she said. “My parents were shocked that I had suddenly stopped being so shy about it, but I explained that I was doing it for other people who might have been bullied at school for a deformity.”
She will not be bored during the performance, planning to “finish Harry Potter”.