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When portrait painter Hussain Alsammak was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2007, taking over most of his limbs and paralysing his right hand, he feared that he would never be able to pick up a brush again.
However, the retired banker who spent 25 years working in the industry, followed by managing health centres in the Ministry of Health, refused to let the neurodegenerative disorder deter him from his love for art.
“I used to paint when I was young and I started working on a lot of portraits when I was in college,” said Hussain, from Hamad Town. “I remember when I was 10; my fingers were always attached to pencils and white papers. I used to roam the allies of my village passing by green farms and huge palm trees that overlook the sea. I hoped that one day I would have a painting featuring that beautiful scenery and that I would follow the steps of famous artists such as Leonardo Davinci and Picasso.
“However, it was during the time that I was managing health centres that I was diagnosed with the disease. I depended on my right hand to draw paint and do other activities.”
Parkinson’s disease leads to progressive deterioration of motor function due to loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Its characteristics include trembling of the limbs and head while at rest, stiffness, slowness, and impaired balance. As symptoms worsen, it may become difficult to walk, talk, and complete simple tasks.The cause of it is unknown but researchers speculate that both genetic and environmental factors are involved. The progression and the degree of impairment vary from person to person and most people who develop the disorder are 60 years of age or older.
“At first I kept it as a secret between me, my wife Badreya Alqassimi and my in laws,” said Hussain, who graduated from the College of Commerce, Economics, and Political Science at Kuwait University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science. “It was shocking at the beginning but I started to read about it more and accepted it. Then after few years, we decided to tell my daughters Eman, 36, a physiotherapist, Amal, 34, a special needs teacher and Mariam, 30, a landscape architect.
“Nevertheless, I built up my strength and challenged the disease, especially memory loss. By the time of my retirement, which I used to channel my creativity, improve my artistic ability and attend workshops, I started painting again. However due to my condition, I changed my painting style to impressionism which focuses on details depending on colouring and brush touches.”
Hussain has worked on more than 500 art pieces that included nature and subjects of his heritage inspired by his childhood. It also encouraged him to participate in a public exhibition arranged by the Society for Contemporary Art and Naltaqi Le Nartaqi Society. He showcased his first solo exhibition in June at Harbour Gate within the Bahrain Financial Harbour as part of its Art at the Harbour events. His preferred mediums include oil and acrylic and it can take him two days to a week to complete a painting depending on his condition and the size of the canvas.
He featured nine art pieces focusing on the kingdom’s rich culture, ranging in price from BD150 to BD400.
“I thank God for giving me this beautiful talent and I would also like to thank Abed AlBosta, my primary school drawing teacher, and my intermediate level teacher Nasser AlYousif, for their ef-forts. Nasser always showed his admiration towards my art pieces and encouraged me to draw on the walls of AlKhamis Intermediate Boys School. He also helped in shaping my talent as he always encouraged me to participate in exhibitions such as the Secondary School Students exhibition which was my first, back in 1968. I also would like to thank Harbour Gate for their support and all those who extended their help throughout my journey.”
