Local disabled artist’s wins first place in art award
Local Papatoetoe disabled artist Tommy Waru has won first place in the Bruce Hopkins Memorial Art Award.

Tommy, an Associate Member of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA), began painting with a brush held in his mouth after he broke his back diving into shallow water more than thirty years ago.

Tommy, who’s beautiful painting - ‘Tranquil Lake’- placed equal first with a painting from another talented New Zealand artist, said that he is extremely pleased with the result.

“It was great to hear that I won first place. I am very happy about it.

“My painting is of a lake with boats on it. I painted ‘Tranquil Lake’ from a photo that I took while holidaying on the South Island last year,” Waru said.

Tommy’s award-winning painting will be on display at the Royal Easter Show where he will also be demonstrating his amazing talent on the mornings of 25 & 27 March at the Auckland Showgrounds.

MFPA is a self-help organisation which gives disabled people the opportunity to fulfil their creative ambitions while still maintaining financial independence, by selectively selling their highly regarded works of art.

MFPA was founded in 1956 by a group of mainly Swiss, French, British and German artists. It was founded in 1961 in New Zealand and now has a membership of over 700 disabled artists in more than 70 countries throughout the world.

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. 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 or to place an order please contact MFPA in Auckland on 9827 6746.

The Bruce Hopkins Memorial Art Award was started more than 16 years ago to commemorate Bruce’s contribution to the MFPA and to disabled artists throughout New Zealand.

During the 1970s and 80s Bruce was the only disabled New Zealand artist to belong to the MFPA and was responsible for encouraging and inspiring disabled people to start painting with a brush held in their mouth.

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