Talented artist at Easter Show

Matakana artist Martin Payne, who paints with a brush in his mouth, is exhibiting and demonstrating his work at this year’s Easter Show in Auckland (April 3 to 6).

The Easter Arts section has been a long-standing yearly event, but was suspended during the covid pandemic. This year marks its return.

“The exhibition gives artists a great opportunity to reach a wide audience,” Martin says.
In the past, the Mouth and Foot Paintings Artists (MFPA), an international art group of which Martin is a member, had its own section in the show.

There will be an exhibition preview evening on Wednesday April 1, and the exhibition will be open for viewing from 10am to 6pm during the show, at the Auckland Showgrounds.

Martin has entered three paintings in the exhibition, and will also demonstrate his painting technique on Friday and Monday afternoons.

Martin started painting after he suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident in 1980 while he was working as a contract shearer. He learned to paint holding a brush in his mouth and has been active in sport for many years, including playing wheelchair rugby.

Mouth and foot painters earn income through the sale of products illustrated with their paintings.

Although this started with Christmas cards, today it includes a wide range of products including special occasion cards, jigsaws, tea sets, address books, calendars, Christmas serviettes and placemats, gift tags and wrapping paper.

Founded in 1956 by a group of European artists, the MFPA is a self-help organisation that gives people with disabilities the opportunity to fulfil their creative ambitions while still maintaining financial independence by selectively selling their artworks.

To become a student member, an artist must qualify by painting with a brush held in either their mouth or foot, having lost the use of their hands due to illness or accident. Student members receive scholarships for art supplies and tuition.

To learn more, visit https://www.mfpa.co.nz/