MEDIA RELEASE 04 December 2009
Local mouth painters' work to be exhibited at the Manukau Super Clinic
Local mouth painting artists, Murray Cohen from Mangere Bridge and Wayne Te
Rangi from Papahura, along with 9 other fellow mouth painters from across the
country, will be exhibiting their artwork in a new art display area at the
Counties Manukau District Health Board's Manukau Super Clinic.
The exhibition will officially open Tuesday, 8 December and run to Tuesday, 22
December 2009 with over 40 paintings on display.
"The new art display area at the Manukau Super Clinic will be used to allow
people with disabilities to exhibit their artwork. The Mouth and Foot Painting
Artists (MFPA) exhibition is the first group to be given the opportunity to
display their talents here. We are all very much looking forward to it", said
Murray.
Painting with a brush held in his mouth, Murray has risen above adversity to
produce artwork of a standard to rival any able bodied artist.
On Christmas Day 1998, Murray dived into his backyard swimming pool, hit his
head on the bottom and as a result, was rendered a C4/5 Tetraplegic.
However after many years battling adversity, Murray has now found fulfilment
through his art and the art associations he is a part of. He has been an active
member of the MFPA since 2004.
"It is great having the ability to spend my days doing something that I love and
enjoy", said Murray.
Other MFPA artists participating in the exhibition include Grant Sharman, John
Loughnan, Toni Fox, Grant Phillip, Kevin Griffith, Kerrin Tilley, Steve Nimmo,
Peter van der Hulst and Martin Payne.
The exhibition will be held at the Super Clinic complex, 901 Great South Road,
Manurewa, Auckland. The exhibition will be opened for public viewing Monday to
Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Admission to the exhibition is free.
Founded in 1956 by a group of European artists, the MFPA is a self-help
organisation which gives people with disabilities the opportunity to fulfil
their creative ambitions while still maintaining financial independence by
selectively selling their artworks. The MFPA was established in New Zealand in
1961 and currently has 20 members.
To become a student member an artist must qualify by painting using a brush held
in either their mouth or foot, having lost the use of their hands through an
illness or accident. Student members receive scholarships for art supplies and
tuition. Once an artist becomes a full member or associate they are guaranteed a
salary for life, even if they are unable to continue painting.
For further information on the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists contact MFPA on
(09) 827 6746.
Released for Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) by Dennis Rutzou Public
Relations (www.drpr.com.au)
For further information please call Gemma Crowley or Nicola Rutzou on (61 2)
9413 4244.
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