Feb 22 2020 to Feb 22 2020 4 p.m.

EVENT HAS ENDED

Where

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath

No.1, Art Complex, Kumarakrupa Rd, near The Lalit Hotel, Kumara Park East 560001

Event Description

Bangalore, 15th February 2020: The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Association (MFPA) , an international registered society of disabled artists will host an art exhibition and live demonstration by mouth and foot painting artists on Saturday, 22nd February at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath from 4PM to 7PM. With participation from over 20 artists from across India, the event will have 40 original paintings on display as well as a live demonstration by the artists.

The primary objective of the MFPA Association is to bring to the forefront the aesthetic creations of its disabled artists by providing them a platform to express their artistic talent. Stricken with disease, accident or birth deformities that resulted in the unfortunate loss of their arms, these unique artists create paintings by holding the paint brushes clenched with their teeth or held between their toes. By offering financial support, MFPA instils in its members a sense of freedom and dignity as well as an opportunity to earn an independent, honest and secure livelihood through the sale of their artwork reproduced in the form of greeting cards, calendars and other merchandise.

With over 800 artists from 74 countries, the MFPA’s paintings and artworks have been displayed in numerous museums and town halls around the world including the Palace of Nations in Geneva, Town Hall of Madrid, the UNO Headquarters in Geneva, Guildhall Art Gallery in London, Council of Europe in France and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. In India, the Association currently supports 26 member artists who are spread across states of states of Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Uttaranchal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

At Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, below are some of the artists who will be displaying the work of art and conducting live demonstrations - All 18 artists will be demonstrating live.

Mridul Ghosh: For artist Mridul Ghosh, painting has given his life a new perspective.  Born in 1988, Mridul Ghosh joined the Indian Air Force and was in active service in 2010 when he was involved in an accident in which seriously injured his Spinal cord. After three years of treatment, he was discharged from the service in 2013. He now leads his life confined to a wheelchair with four paralysed limbs at the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre in Pune. He felt his passion for painting early on in his life but could not live out his dream because there was no one to teach or guide him. Mridul became a member of MFPA in 2017. He now sees the world through the various colours of his paintbrush.

Jilumol Mariet Thomas: Born in Thodupuzha, Kerala, Jilumol was born without hands but creates magic with her toes.  From writing to drawing, she performs all activities with her feet. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (animation and graphic design) from St. Joseph College of Communication (SJCC) in Changanacherry, Kerala.

Janarthanan Kesavan: On the evening of 4 March 2000, the eight-year boy (popularly known as Jana), while playing with his friends on the terrace of his home in Tamil Nadu, accidentally touched a high-voltage electric cable with an iron bar. The severe electric shock injured almost his entire body. As a consequence, his right arm had to be amputated at the shoulder, his left arm at the elbow and his left leg at the knee. Young Jana was devastated but did not give up! Supported by his parents, friends and doctors, Jana learnt to write and paint with his mouth. He was soon participating in drawing contests and much to the surprise of everybody, he won prizes several times. Jana has been a member of Indian Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Association since 2007 and to date has won over 80 prizes in events at the district and state level. He is also the only physically disabled boy, who in 2004 and 2005, received two national awards from the Indian President, His Excellency, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for “Best Creative Child” and the “Balshree Award”.

Bandenawaz Nadaf: Born with a birth defect of both his upper limbs i.e. right hand with a very short stump and the absence of a left hand, Bandenawaz Nadaf’s story is that of triumph and conviction. A man of many talents, Bandenawaz is an excellent swimmer, cook, musician who plays the tambourine, a yellow belt in Karate and an accomplished foot painter. He has also participated in the Mini Olympics for the Disabled and won several prizes in various disciplines. Despite financial difficulties, his family helped him learn to write with his foot. Slowly his love for art took direction and he began to paint with his feet. Soon he became an accomplished foot painter and won prizes in several Inter-school and national level art competitions in India