Local mouth painting artist to enter exclusive art awards

MEDIA RELEASE 30 January 2009

Local mouth painting artist to enter exclusive art awards
Tumara Park resident and Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) member Grant Philip will be entering his artwork in the annual Bruce Hopkins Memorial Art Awards.

Last year he received first place with his artwork entitled 'West Coast Wonder' and he's hoping to repeat his success in 2009 with his painting 'Autumn Approaching' which is an acrylic on canvas.
"The inspiration behind this painting is New Zealand's beautiful landscapes in the transition between Summer and Autumn and the colours nature brings to us," Grant said.

"After several years of trying to win the Bruce Hopkins Award I was successful in 2008, winning the coveted award. This was quite special to me because before Bruce Hopkins had his accident he was a school mate of my father's. It would be the icing on the cake to win it two years running," said Grant.

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.

Grant Philip began painting with a brush held in his mouth after a diving accident left him quadriplegic. He has been a student member of the MFPA since 2002. This is his seventh time entering the awards.

The awards 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, 21 February.
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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