Wild horses: Sculptor's moving tribute to brother's epilepsy and autism

    By Matthew Knight, CNN

    Updated 1240 GMT (2040 HKT) July 23, 2015

    Tess Dumon's life-size horse sculptures were suspended from the ceiling in the atrium at London's Central St. Martins art school.
    Photos: Turning childhood trauma into art
    Tess Dumon's life-size horse sculptures were suspended from the ceiling in the atrium at London's Central St. Martins art school.
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    The French postgraduate art student's sculpture is titled "Stabat Mater (Lorasifar, Depakin, Tegretol & Circadin)." It was inspired by her older brother's life-long struggle with epilepsy and autism. Each horse is named after the four medicines (listed in brackets in the title) prescribed to control his epilepsy.
    Photos: Turning childhood trauma into art
    The French postgraduate art student's sculpture is titled "Stabat Mater (Lorasifar, Depakin, Tegretol & Circadin)." It was inspired by her older brother's life-long struggle with epilepsy and autism. Each horse is named after the four medicines (listed in brackets in the title) prescribed to control his epilepsy.
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    The equine-themed work also relates back to her brother Louis' experience with horse therapy, which can help mentally and physically disabled people improve their strength, balance and motor coordination.
    Photos: Turning childhood trauma into art
    The equine-themed work also relates back to her brother Louis' experience with horse therapy, which can help mentally and physically disabled people improve their strength, balance and motor coordination.
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    "He started doing the horse therapy when he was 15 and he's still doing it," Dumon explains. "It is the central theme in my work."
    Photos: Turning childhood trauma into art
    "He started doing the horse therapy when he was 15 and he's still doing it," Dumon explains. "It is the central theme in my work."
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    Dumon was going to do a business management degree before being persuaded by her parents to study art.
    Photos: Turning childhood trauma into art
    Dumon was going to do a business management degree before being persuaded by her parents to study art.
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    Dumon is halfway through a two-year Masters degree at the Royal College of Art in London.
    Photos: Turning childhood trauma into art
    Dumon is halfway through a two-year Masters degree at the Royal College of Art in London.
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    Her latest equine-related work was commissioned by Ascot Racecourse, which wanted a bold sculpture for the King George VI meeting on July 24-25.
    Photos: Turning childhood trauma into art
    Her latest equine-related work was commissioned by Ascot Racecourse, which wanted a bold sculpture for the King George VI meeting on July 24-25.
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    "I was completely thrilled," says Dumon. "It was a good opportunity because I hadn't made any horses since last year -- I was so happy to make another one."
    Photos: Turning childhood trauma into art
    "I was completely thrilled," says Dumon. "It was a good opportunity because I hadn't made any horses since last year -- I was so happy to make another one."
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    Dumon (left) at work on her Ascot sculpture. The 24-year-old uses chicken wire which she cuts into pieces and reshapes.
    Photos: Turning childhood trauma into art
    Dumon (left) at work on her Ascot sculpture. The 24-year-old uses chicken wire which she cuts into pieces and reshapes.
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    Cuts and grazes go with the territory. "It's part of the job. No pain, no gain!" she explains, cheerfully.
    Photos: Turning childhood trauma into art
    Cuts and grazes go with the territory. "It's part of the job. No pain, no gain!" she explains, cheerfully.
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    "I usually work from the image in my head. For the Ascot horse they gave me a reference image to work from, which was more difficult," she says.
    Photos: Turning childhood trauma into art
    "I usually work from the image in my head. For the Ascot horse they gave me a reference image to work from, which was more difficult," she says.
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    "What I like about the chicken wire is that you can see through it. There is a lightness, a transparency," Dumon adds.