Kevin Whitaker poses with his work during an art show in April 2018. The painter has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia, and will be donating the money he raises towards research. (Varsha Ramdihol/Toronto Observer)

Art can emerge from unexpected sources. For Kevin Whitaker, diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia, his life focus changed from his role as superior court justice to early retirement, and an increased focus on Art.

An exhibition of his work runs December 1 and 2 in Toronto. A panel discussion with Whitaker, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre’s Dr. Mario Masellis and others is featured on December 1.

He is afflicted by dyskinesia, a symptom which sometimes accompanies Parkinson’s Disease, and which causes uncontrolled, exaggerated movements. Despite this, he’s actively painting.

Treated by Dr. Mario Masellis at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, the art lends insight into the condition. He says “It does help me to understand what’s going on in their mind and how potentially the disease is affecting their thought processes.”

For more on Mr Whitaker and his art, check out a news story on CTV. Read an interview in the Globe and Mail, and a story in The Toronto Observer. You can also get more info on the most recent exhibition information.

Audio interviews and video are below.

 

Former judge channels aspects of Lewy Body Dementia into art

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