Plastic Surgeon Dr Paul Banwell and Anonymous Artist Epi Collaborate

Plastic surgeon and art collector Dr Paul Banwell and anonymous young artist Epi have come together for a “surreal experiment” highlighting the painting style of the late, great Lucio Fontana, who is famous for his ‘slashed’ canvases and the associated art movement of ‘Spatialism’.

The pair have worked together to take a unique spin on the Fontana-esque slashed canvases; leveraging Mr Banwell’s surgical prowess to suture some of his own slashed canvases.

The tongue-in-cheek take on a deeper message of healing and restoration, the collaboration merges the art world and plastic surgery world closer than ever.

Epi has created a recent storm within the art world with his sell out works that poke fun at himself and the art world as a whole.

Deeming his art ‘Destructivism’, Epi takes well-known works and defaces them in a tongue-in-cheek way, often rendering them absurd, comic, surreal or even outright offensive. His work has been snapped up by discerning collectors over recent years as he continues to push boundaries and challenge the art world.

Epi commented, “This entire project has allowed me - a chancer and a vandal - to piggyback off of someone with a real job and genuine skill to create something truly exceptional.”

Dr Banwell, who also founded regenerative health supplement brand ARTIS London in 2024, said: “I think these pieces have turned out really well and look sensational framed. Sat next to an original they are unexpectedly thought-provoking.

“I am a huge fan of Fontana myself, and when Epi explained his ideas and concepts for this project, I jumped at the chance to be involved. The sutured canvases represent a very cheeky but clever twist on these world-famous pieces and are a classic example of Epi’s wonderful humour.”