A Show Of Hands

More than anything else, is it our hands which make us human?

In this series considers the human hand from five quite different angles: manipulation, creativity, gesture, communication and touch. In each programme we hear from people who have a very particular perspective on hands and the way we use them, including a dancer, a blacksmith, a massage therapist, a priest and the recipient of a hand transplant. Each of them takes a long look at their own hands, describes what they see and considers the relationship with the world which their hands give them.

As we encounter healing hands, steady hands, talking hands, holding hands and the laying-on of hands we come to understand just how much our hands identify and define us

The very word ‘manipulate' has the image of the hand embedded in it and the first episode explores how we use them to organise, shape and change our world. We hear from consultant plastic surgeon Professor Simon Kay who leads the UK's only hand transplant service at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. He considers the psychological aspects of hand injury and how much our identity and sense of ‘self' is tied up in our hands.

We meet Tanya Shepherd who lost both her hands and one of arms to sepsis. In 2018 she became the first woman in the UK to receive a double hand transplant. She reflects on learning to touch and manipulate objects with a new pair of donor hands.

And Professor Tracy Kivell from the University of Kent takes a paleoanthropologist's view, considering the evolution of an organ which has the strength to grip and wield heavy tools but which can also perform the finest, most delicate tasks - for example by Simon Kay in a surgical operation.

Producer: Jeremy Grange

Photograph courtesy of Tim Booth.

The perspectives of a surgeon and a double hand transplantee on the ways we use our hands.

Five perspectives on human hands and the way we use them.

We use our hands to explore the world around us; to manipulate and change it; to communicate; to signify aggression, submission or gratitude; to comfort or arouse; to make music, craft and create. We point, punch, tweak and text. We ball our fists, spread our palms, give someone the thumbs up and close our hands in prayer.

More than anything else, is it our hands which make us human?

In this series considers the human hand from five quite different angles: manipulation, creativity, gesture, communication and touch. In each programme we hear from people who have a very particular perspective on hands and the way we use them, including a dancer, a blacksmith, a massage therapist, a priest and the recipient of a hand transplant. Each of them takes a long look at their own hands, describes what they see and considers the relationship with the world which their hands give them.

As we encounter healing hands, steady hands, talking hands, holding hands and the laying-on of hands we come to understand just how much our hands identify and define us

The very word ‘manipulate' has the image of the hand embedded in it and the first episode explores how we use them to organise, shape and change our world. We hear from consultant plastic surgeon Professor Simon Kay who leads the UK's only hand transplant service at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. He considers the psychological aspects of hand injury and how much our identity and sense of ‘self' is tied up in our hands.

We meet Tanya Shepherd who lost both her hands and one of arms to sepsis. In 2018 she became the first woman in the UK to receive a double hand transplant. She reflects on learning to touch and manipulate objects with a new pair of donor hands.

And Professor Tracy Kivell from the University of Kent takes a paleoanthropologist's view, considering the evolution of an organ which has the strength to grip and wield heavy tools but which can also perform the finest, most delicate tasks - for example by Simon Kay in a surgical operation.

Producer: Jeremy Grange

Photograph courtesy of Tim Booth.

The perspectives of a surgeon and a double hand transplantee on the ways we use our hands.

Five perspectives on human hands and the way we use them.

More than anything else, is it our hands which make us human?

In this series considers the human hand from five quite different angles: manipulation, creativity, gesture, communication and touch. In each programme we hear from people who have a very particular perspective on hands and the way we use them, including a dancer, a surgeon, a massage therapist, a priest and the recipient of a hand transplant. Each of them takes a long look at their own hands, describes what they see and considers the relationship with the world which their hands give them.

As we encounter healing hands, steady hands, talking hands, holding hands and the laying-on of hands we come to understand just how much our hands identify and define us.

The second episode explores the way we use our hands to craft and create. We hear from world renowned harpist Catrin Finch who's spent a lifetime training her fingers in the extraordinary dexterity, deftness and grace her instrument requires.

Alex Pole began his career as a jeweller but is now a renowned blacksmith, crafting kitchen tools, knives and axes. He explains how his hands have to wield a hammer with accuracy and sensitivity as well as strength. They also need resilience as they withstand twenty thousand impacts a day.

Alex's hands are one of the subjects of photographer Tim Booth's project ‘A Show of Hands'. For more than two decades, starting with his own grandmother's, Tim has photographed the hands of dozens of people, from miners to mechanics, sportsmen and women to rock stars, mountaineers to gravediggers. He considers what our hands say about our skills, our lives and our sense of self.

Producer: Jeremy Grange

Photograph courtesy of Tim Booth - 'A Show of Hands' Project

A harpist, a blacksmith and a photographer reflect on the hands' role in creativity

Five perspectives on human hands and the way we use them.

We use our hands to explore the world around us; to manipulate and change it; to communicate; to signify aggression, submission or gratitude; to comfort or arouse; to make music, craft and create. We point, punch, tweak and text. We ball our fists, spread our palms, give someone the thumbs up and close our hands in prayer.

More than anything else, is it our hands which make us human?

In this series considers the human hand from five quite different angles: manipulation, creativity, gesture, communication and touch. In each programme we hear from people who have a very particular perspective on hands and the way we use them, including a dancer, a surgeon, a massage therapist, a priest and the recipient of a hand transplant. Each of them takes a long look at their own hands, describes what they see and considers the relationship with the world which their hands give them.

As we encounter healing hands, steady hands, talking hands, holding hands and the laying-on of hands we come to understand just how much our hands identify and define us.

The second episode explores the way we use our hands to craft and create. We hear from world renowned harpist Catrin Finch who's spent a lifetime training her fingers in the extraordinary dexterity, deftness and grace her instrument requires.

Alex Pole began his career as a jeweller but is now a renowned blacksmith, crafting kitchen tools, knives and axes. He explains how his hands have to wield a hammer with accuracy and sensitivity as well as strength. They also need resilience as they withstand twenty thousand impacts a day.

Alex's hands are one of the subjects of photographer Tim Booth's project ‘A Show of Hands'. For more than two decades, starting with his own grandmother's, Tim has photographed the hands of dozens of people, from miners to mechanics, sportsmen and women to rock stars, mountaineers to gravediggers. He considers what our hands say about our skills, our lives and our sense of self.

Producer: Jeremy Grange

Photograph courtesy of Tim Booth - 'A Show of Hands' Project

A harpist, a blacksmith and a photographer reflect on the hands' role in creativity

Five perspectives on human hands and the way we use them.

More than anything else, is it our hands which make us human?

In this series considers the human hand from five different angles: manipulation, creativity, gesture, communication and touch. In each programme we hear from people who have a very particular perspective on hands and the way we use them, including a surgeon, a massage therapist, a harpist, a blacksmith and the recipient of a hand transplant. Each of them takes a long look at their own hands, describes what they see and considers the relationship with the world which their hands give them.

As we encounter healing hands, steady hands, talking hands, holding hands and the laying-on of hands we come to understand just how much our hands identify and define us.

In the third episode we examine the importance of gesture, both in religious faith and in the performing arts. Sr. Gemma Simmonds of the Congregation of Jesus considers the different ways Christians use their hands in prayer and worship, while Fr. Christopher Hancock reflects on the way he uses his hands as a priest - from key moments in the Mass to the anointing of the sick and dying.

In Islam too the position of the hands in ritual prayer has particular significance. As Dr. Abdul-Azim Ahmed of the Muslim Council of Wales explains, there are also many references to the hands in the Qur'an - including the symbolism of the right and left hands.

Gesture is also an important part of the performing arts, particularly in South Asian classical dance. Acclaimed choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh considers the vocabulary of hand movements - mudras - which express meaning and emotion in the style of dance she trained in, Bharatanatyam, and how these have inspired her current work in contemporary dance.

Producer: Jeremy Grange

Photograph courtesy of Tim Booth

Christians and Muslims consider the ways we use our hands to express our faith.

Five perspectives on human hands and the way we use them.

We use our hands to explore the world around us; to manipulate and change it; to communicate; to signify aggression, submission or gratitude; to comfort or arouse; to make music, craft and create. We point, punch, tweak and text. We ball our fists, spread our palms, give someone the thumbs up and close our hands in prayer.

More than anything else, is it our hands which make us human?

In this series considers the human hand from five different angles: manipulation, creativity, gesture, communication and touch. In each programme we hear from people who have a very particular perspective on hands and the way we use them, including a surgeon, a massage therapist, a harpist, a blacksmith and the recipient of a hand transplant. Each of them takes a long look at their own hands, describes what they see and considers the relationship with the world which their hands give them.

As we encounter healing hands, steady hands, talking hands, holding hands and the laying-on of hands we come to understand just how much our hands identify and define us.

In the third episode we examine the importance of gesture, both in religious faith and in the performing arts. Sr. Gemma Simmonds of the Congregation of Jesus considers the different ways Christians use their hands in prayer and worship, while Fr. Christopher Hancock reflects on the way he uses his hands as a priest - from key moments in the Mass to the anointing of the sick and dying.

In Islam too the position of the hands in ritual prayer has particular significance. As Dr. Abdul-Azim Ahmed of the Muslim Council of Wales explains, there are also many references to the hands in the Qur'an - including the symbolism of the right and left hands.

Gesture is also an important part of the performing arts, particularly in South Asian classical dance. Acclaimed choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh considers the vocabulary of hand movements - mudras - which express meaning and emotion in the style of dance she trained in, Bharatanatyam, and how these have inspired her current work in contemporary dance.

Producer: Jeremy Grange

Photograph courtesy of Tim Booth

Christians and Muslims consider the ways we use our hands to express our faith.

Five perspectives on human hands and the way we use them.

More than anything else, is it our hands which make us human?

This series considers the human hand from five different angles: manipulation, creativity, gesture, communication and touch. In each programme we hear from people who have a very particular perspective on hands and the way we use them, including a surgeon, a massage therapist, a harpist, a blacksmith and the recipient of a hand transplant. Each of them takes a long look at their own hands, describes what they see and considers the relationship with the world which their hands give them.

As we encounter healing hands, steady hands, talking hands, holding hands and the laying-on of hands we come to understand just how much our hands identify and define us.

Today we explore the ways we use our hands in communication. Hand gestures are a key part of the sign languages used by Deaf people. British Sign Language is as complex as spoken English, with its own grammar and syntax. Dr. Robert Adam, head of BSL at Heriot Watt University, considers how Deaf people learn fluency and ‘diction' with their hands to create clear, unambiguous communication.

Clear, unambiguous communication is also essential for soldiers. For infantry in combat or observing radio silence, hands are a vital tool. Former Royal Marine Gary Mapletoft talks through the hand signals infantry use in the field to signal information about patrol formations, enemy positions and ambushes. He also reflects on the many other ways a soldier's hands are used - from handling a weapon in extreme weather conditions to 'knife hands' - a way of pointing which is characteristic of many ex-infantry soldiers.

And, of course, every time we speak we all use our hands, whether it's the unconscious signals of everyday conversation or the carefully thought-out gestures of actors or public speakers like politicians. Body language expert Allan Pease analyses what we're saying about ourselves when we gesture with our hands.

Producer: Jeremy Grange

Photograph courtesy of Tim Booth

From Sign Language to infantry soldiers, the way we use our hands to communicate.

Five perspectives on human hands and the way we use them.

We use our hands to explore the world around us; to manipulate and change it; to communicate; to signify aggression, submission or gratitude; to comfort or arouse; to make music, craft and create. We point, punch, tweak and text. We ball our fists, spread our palms, give someone the thumbs up and close our hands in prayer.

More than anything else, is it our hands which make us human?

This series considers the human hand from five different angles: manipulation, creativity, gesture, communication and touch. In each programme we hear from people who have a very particular perspective on hands and the way we use them, including a surgeon, a massage therapist, a harpist, a blacksmith and the recipient of a hand transplant. Each of them takes a long look at their own hands, describes what they see and considers the relationship with the world which their hands give them.

As we encounter healing hands, steady hands, talking hands, holding hands and the laying-on of hands we come to understand just how much our hands identify and define us.

Today we explore the ways we use our hands in communication. Hand gestures are a key part of the sign languages used by Deaf people. British Sign Language is as complex as spoken English, with its own grammar and syntax. Dr. Robert Adam, head of BSL at Heriot Watt University, considers how Deaf people learn fluency and ‘diction' with their hands to create clear, unambiguous communication.

Clear, unambiguous communication is also essential for soldiers. For infantry in combat or observing radio silence, hands are a vital tool. Former Royal Marine Gary Mapletoft talks through the hand signals infantry use in the field to signal information about patrol formations, enemy positions and ambushes. He also reflects on the many other ways a soldier's hands are used - from handling a weapon in extreme weather conditions to 'knife hands' - a way of pointing which is characteristic of many ex-infantry soldiers.

And, of course, every time we speak we all use our hands, whether it's the unconscious signals of everyday conversation or the carefully thought-out gestures of actors or public speakers like politicians. Body language expert Allan Pease analyses what we're saying about ourselves when we gesture with our hands.

Producer: Jeremy Grange

Photograph courtesy of Tim Booth

From Sign Language to infantry soldiers, the way we use our hands to communicate.

Five perspectives on human hands and the way we use them.

More than anything else, is it our hands which make us human?

This series considers the human hand from five different angles: manipulation, creativity, gesture, communication and touch. In each programme we hear from people who have a very particular perspective on hands and the way we use them, including a harpist, a blacksmith, a former infantry soldier and the recipient of a hand transplant. Each of them takes a long look at their own hands, describes what they see and considers the relationship with the world which their hands give them.

As we encounter healing hands, steady hands, talking hands, holding hands and the laying-on of hands we come to understand just how much our hands identify and define us.

In the final programme we explore the power of touch with massage therapist Cathy Hagan and her client Gill Tate. Cathy reflects on the way she uses her thumbs, palms and the heel of her hand to sense and locate areas of tension in her clients' bodies - and then how her hands work to relax those knotted muscles.

A very different insight into touch comes from ‘The Man of Steal' - magician and pickpocket James Freedman. He talks about the deftness, dexterity and sleight of hand that are the tools of his trade - and how he uses touch to deceive and misdirect when he's picking someone's pocket during his stage show.

We also hear from hand surgeon Professor Simon Kay and photographer Tim Booth who has spent over twenty years creating portraits of people's hands. They consider the extraordinary power of hand-holding and touch to comfort and communicate.

Producer: Jeremy Grange

Featuring excerpt from 'James Freedman: Secrets from a Professional Pickpocket' - courtesy of TED Talks

Photograph courtesy of Tim Booth: ‘A Show of Hands' Project

A massage therapist and a pickpocket reflect on their hands and the sense of touch

Five perspectives on human hands and the way we use them.

We use our hands to explore the world around us; to manipulate and change it; to communicate; to signify aggression, submission or gratitude; to comfort or arouse; to make music, craft and create. We point, punch, tweak and text. We ball our fists, spread our palms, give someone the thumbs up and close our hands in prayer.

More than anything else, is it our hands which make us human?

This series considers the human hand from five different angles: manipulation, creativity, gesture, communication and touch. In each programme we hear from people who have a very particular perspective on hands and the way we use them, including a harpist, a blacksmith, a former infantry soldier and the recipient of a hand transplant. Each of them takes a long look at their own hands, describes what they see and considers the relationship with the world which their hands give them.

As we encounter healing hands, steady hands, talking hands, holding hands and the laying-on of hands we come to understand just how much our hands identify and define us.

In the final programme we explore the power of touch with massage therapist Cathy Hagan and her client Gill Tate. Cathy reflects on the way she uses her thumbs, palms and the heel of her hand to sense and locate areas of tension in her clients' bodies - and then how her hands work to relax those knotted muscles.

A very different insight into touch comes from ‘The Man of Steal' - magician and pickpocket James Freedman. He talks about the deftness, dexterity and sleight of hand that are the tools of his trade - and how he uses touch to deceive and misdirect when he's picking someone's pocket during his stage show.

We also hear from hand surgeon Professor Simon Kay and photographer Tim Booth who has spent over twenty years creating portraits of people's hands. They consider the extraordinary power of hand-holding and touch to comfort and communicate.

Producer: Jeremy Grange

Featuring excerpt from 'James Freedman: Secrets from a Professional Pickpocket' - courtesy of TED Talks

Photograph courtesy of Tim Booth: ‘A Show of Hands' Project

A massage therapist and a pickpocket reflect on their hands and the sense of touch

Five perspectives on human hands and the way we use them.