Local mouth-painting artist wins first place in Australian art exhibition
Pukekohe mouth-painting artist Grant Sharman has won first place in the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) category of an art exhibition which was displayed at the Royal Brisbane Show in Australia from 10 to 19 August.

Grant began painting after an injury in a school rugby match left him a tetraplegic in 1977. He became a full member of the MFPA in 1988.

Grant’s winning painting ‘Berries’ was judged in a category which included paintings by New Zealand, Australian and international MFPA members.

“When I first heard my painting had won first place I was over the moon. I didn’t expect to win at all so I was really thrilled,” Grant said.

“The inspiration behind my painting was capturing the spirit of Christmas in holly.

“I don’t really have any particular subject that I like to paint. I just get a buzz out of paintings that turn out really well,” he said.

Grant is now focusing on completing new paintings for the North Shore and Waitakere Art Awards.

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.

To become a 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.

For further information on the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists or to place an order contact MFPA on (09) 827 6746.

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Released for MFPA by Dennis Rutzou Public Relations.
For further information contact Aleks Czerwinski
or Kim Larochelle on (612) 9413 4244.