Perth artist paints Parkinson's as monster in solo exhibit

Perth artist Andrew Grero explores the Parkinson's 'monster' in first solo exhibition Monster is a word Andrew Grero associates with his young-onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD). The 40-year-old Perth artist, best known for painting large murals, says the disease makes him feel like one. Parkinson's itself is also depicted at a monster in Grero's first solo exhibition titled Signal Lost. "Four years ago, I was just a regular dude who didn't have many problems," he said. "It's been a pretty rough ride, but I think the exhibition brings light to it and it gives people a better understanding of what it would be like to live with it." Struggles as young father Grero is one of the more than 1,100 Australians under 65 who are diagnosed YOPD each year, accounting for up to 20 per cent of all people living with Parkinson's. He was diagnosed with the progressive brain disorder aged 36, which started with a dull ache in his shoulder, then progressed to him struggling to brush his teeth, and then to dragging his right leg. Grero hopes his art will help more people better understand how the disease affects those living with it, a concept he explores in one of the exhibition's most striking artworks, Monster. The painting depicts how Parkinson's has impacted his relationship with his two-year-old son. "When I'm off my medication and I'm in my off period, I might be hunched over, or having to crawl somewhere or just lie on the floor," he explained. "He doesn't understand that and so sometimes he gets a bit scared. You can just tell, you just look in his eyes." Grero said he does not take his son's reaction to heart. "It's something that I know as he grows up and we can explain it to him, he's not going to be scared or think I'm a monster, hopefully,"he said. "But it's just something I'm going through now." Bright colours While Grero does not shy away from sharing the impact of his disease, he often does so using bright colours and everyday objects that include a digital watch, a cheeseburger and a can of lager. "If you have a big meal and then you try and take your medication, you just can't get through. And then if you have a few drinks, your symptoms are exemplified," he said. "I don't think many people know like what MS or what Parkinson's actually is. Like you just see the tremors and all of that stuff, but there's so much more to it." Monster smashed One of the paintings towards the end of the display depicts Grero punching the "monster" that is Parkinson's, backed by illustrations of his friends and family. He said the exhibition has already resonated with others living with the disease. "One lady sent me a message saying she had just been diagnosed and she hasn't even gone public with it yet and she's an artist giving me support saying that I'm brave and I'm like 'dude, you're brave'". As his symptoms worsen, Grero said he was focusing on more studio work and less taxing artworks such as cityscapes and landscapes. He was also keen to get back into painting murals and said he hoped the exhibition would travel to more places and involve other artists with Parkinson's. "I've got a big drive to continue to creating as much as possible now," he said. "Life's fragile and you never know what's going to happen so I'm just going hard at it and trying to inspire others as well with my art."