MEDIA RELEASE 20 February 2008
Hamilton mouth painting artist to exhibit at art shows
Hamilton mouth painting artist Toni Fox will be demonstrating and exhibiting at
the Right Bank Art Festival in Hamilton on Saturday, 23 February. She will also
join fellow Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) members by entering the Bruce
Hopkins Memorial Art Awards this year.
At this year's Right Bank Art Festival Toni will be demonstrating her painting
technique as well as exhibiting some recent works. The Festival will be held at
Hamilton Gardens on Saturday, 23 February and Toni's demonstration will take
place from 12 to 2 pm.
She has also entered a painting in the Bruce Hopkins Memorial Art Awards which
will be judged and artworks displayed in the Auckland spinal unit as part of The
Association of Spinal Concerns (TASC) show off day on Saturday, 23 February from
1.30 pm until 3 pm.
The Bruce Hopkins Memorial Art Awards started 18 years ago to commemorate Bruce
Hopkins' contribution to the MFPA and to artists with disabilities throughout
New Zealand. During the 1970s and 80s, Bruce was the only New Zealand artist
with a disability to belong to the MFPA and was responsible for encouraging and
inspiring people with disabilities to start painting with a brush held in their
mouth or foot.
"The painting I'm entering is called 'Autumn Gold' which is an acrylic on canvas
and my main inspiration is the colours of autumn," Toni said.
Toni has been in a wheelchair for 15 years after a competitive trampolining
accident in which she broke her neck. She took up mouth painting after leaving
the Otara spinal unit and has been a student member of the MFPA for the past 6
years.
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 Anthia Crosby or Nicola Rutzou on 61 2 9413
4244.
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