Wirral artist Tommy McHugh given free exhibition space - for as long as he wants

Feb 10 2010 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

Wirral artist Tommy McHugh given free exhibition space - for as long as he wants

ARTIST Tommy McHugh says he is in “dreamland” after being handed bright and open exhibition space, for as long as he wants, at no charge.

The Rock Ferry man appealed through the Wirral News for a suitable gallery, after covering his flat with images.

His urge to paint appeared suddenly following two strokes, and the 60-year-old is one of only two people in the world to be diagnosed with sudden artistic creativity.

In November, Tommy was interviewed for a BBC Horizon programme investigating the condition and he decided he wanted to remove the work he had created on the walls, ceilings and carpets of his home and place them in a gallery context.

Seven different groups responded to Tommy’s call, and the promise of a double-fronted shop on Market Street from Wirral Methodist Housing Association (WMHA) proved the biggest draw.

Tommy told the News: “ It’s a beautiful place and it isn’t for a short period, it’s to continue for as long as I can keep it going.

“When WMHA first brought me here, I thought my dream had come true because nobody could be given so much.

“Any artist would think they were in dreamland.”