Veterans 'unmask' their brain injuries through art

ANOKA, Minn. (KMSP) - Staring at a piece of art, Robert M. finally broke his silence.

“It was therapeutic in a way, you know," said Robert. "It got me thinking.”

What got him thinking was a simple, white mask he had just painted. The bright colors revealing the pain he’s experienced, but could never put into words.

“Well, I painted it half black and half white," he said. "I don’t know how to describe that part, but it’s the night and day. Sometimes I feel like the headaches, night and day, things can change. I feel bad or I feel good."

Robert served four years in the U.S. Army with a tour in Iraq that changed his life.

"It was an IED explosion," said Robert. "We ran over it and it just blew up the Humvee and I hit my head on the turret."

Each injured veteran’s story is unique, and so is their ability to talk about them with their own kind of war paint. This fall, the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance invited veterans in Sauk Center and Anoka to tell the stories of their injuries and recovery on blank canvases of a mask. The idea is to use paint and decorations to “unmask” their injuries. The art show this week in Sauk Center, and Thursday night in Anoka at the Eagles Healing Nest is all part of Veterans Voices Month.

“They have a unique perspective that maybe everyday citizens don’t understand or don’t have the experience themselves,” said Brittany Lasek of the Brain Injury Alliance. “So by seeing these masks and learning directly from the individuals, they can better understand what they are going through."

Thursday night’s showing is open to veterans and the public, but the Brain Injury Alliance is asking anyone interested in attending to RSVP at (612)597-2953.

The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Eagles Healing Nest, 3300 4th Avenue North, Cottage 4 in Anoka.