Dunedin artist proving just how good Kiwi company’s prosthetic limbs are

September 25, 2018

In Gavin Wilson’s case it even allows him to sculpt.

A New Zealand company is leading the world in prosthetic limbs and a Dunedin artist is proving how good they are.

The TASKA bionic arm connects to user's muscles, performing unique movements like holding a knife.

In Gavin Wilson's case, it even allows him to sculpt. The Dunedin artist changes a once shapeless block of Oamaru stone with the most basic tools.

"When you use a tool such as a chisel and a hammer you can go into it slowly."

But the hand that holds the hammer is itself a work of art.

"It's more like a really advanced tool than it is a hand," says Mr Wilson.

"Since the Taska team have taken onto the world stage there's been a lot of interest around the world in it," says designer David Lovegrove.

The hand is reaching out to the world as a 100 percent Kiwi invention, and is tested by blokes like Mr Wilson.

"We've been very lucky to have those guys in New Zealand that really don't give it any respect at all. They just get out and use it and abuse it and we need that as designers and engineers - you need to get people using it properly," says Mr Lovegrove.

Mr Wilson has been testing the hand for two years, and it's been six since he lost his flesh and bone.

Despite the injury, he was quick to adapt with almost everything in his backyard created and built with one hand.

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