Brain surgery brought out man’s inner artist

Mar 12 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

A BRAIN haemorrhage survivor who developed a rare condition, compelling him to constantly paint and sculpt has exhibited his work at the hospital that saved his life.

Internationally-acclaimed artist Tommy McHugh, from Birkenhead, developed Sudden Artistic Output after treatment at The Walton Centre, and became almost unrecognisable to people he knew.

Yesterday, he laid out his remarkable sandstone sculptures for patients and staff at the hospital, to raise awareness of International Brain Awareness Week.

Six years ago, the 57-year-old nearly died after suffering haemorrhages on both sides of his brain.

Neurosurgeons spent 10 hours operating, fitting titanium coils, the width of a human hair, to one side of his brain and a clip to the other.

When he woke from the operation, Tommy slowly realised he had developed a talent for artwork and felt like a changed man.

He said yesterday: “I cannot really remember the man I was. I have developed new emotions and new skills. I just do not stop painting and sculpting now.

“When I woke after the operation, I was given a pen and told to start writing or drawing or anything – just as a bit of therapy. I drew on paper, on the walls, on the ceiling.

“People started calling me the Noodle Doodler and it has gone on from there. My house is covered from floor to ceiling with paintings. They are even on the carpet.”

The former builder, whose work is regularly exhibited all over the world and sells for a premium, has turned his life around. In the 1980s, Tommy had a £500-a- day heroin addiction and spent time in prison. He had never produced a piece of art in his life.

His work is now auctioned with the proceeds going towards medical research. Tommy himself does not take any of the profit.

Only a handful of other cases of Sudden Artistic Output are known about in the world and Sacha Niven, consultant at the Walton Centre, who operated on Tommy, says little is understood about it.

“What has happened to Tommy is remarkable and no one can really explain it.

“People who have suffered from aneurysms do often experience memory loss and relatives often report changes in personality and this seems to be an extreme example.

“It just shows how people do recover from these procedures and can often live more fulfilling lives than before. It gives hope.”

Tommy added: “I owe so much in my heart and brain to everyone at the Walton Centre.”

lizawilliams