Mouth and foot painters astonish with their work

Gallery

GEORGE NEWS - As part of celebrating disability month, on the eve of National Disability Rights Awareness Day 3 December, George Mayor Leon van Wyk paid a visit to the South African Mouth and Foot Painters Association.

Van Wyk said it was a great privilege to see the amazing talent and wonderful artistry produced by these artists.

"To know that such talented artists are based in George makes me proud. Here we have a sector that is dedicated to helping the disabled society who are working hard to make a life for themselves. Their enterprise and willingness to provide products is something that I encourage and support."

He encouraged visitors and residents alike to support organisations like the Mouth and Foot Painters Association.

"Please pop in and meet Patrick Botto, one of the artists, and have a look at the art that they have on display and support these artists," he urged. The association is located at the Precap Centre, 16 Courtenay Street.

History

The South African Mouth and Foot Painters Association was established in Kempton Park, Gauteng, in 1958.

After 57 years, in 2015, their offices moved to George. The association was started as an initiative by German painter Arnulf Erich Stegmann, who lost the use of both his arms due to polio.

The association now has 800 mouth and foot artists in 74 countries and this community keeps growing. Currently, there are 26 mouth and foot artists in South Africa.

Apart from doing actual painting, the work of these artists is also available in print form on T-shirts, mugs, canvas and puzzles, to name a few.

Clr Erika Brown, Clr Marlene Barnardt and Mayor Leon van Wyk with Patrick Botto, associate member of the Mouth and Foot Association. Behind them are some of Botto's brilliant paintings.

Patrick Botto

The mayor met an associate member of the Mouth and Foot Association, Patrick Botto, during his visit. Botto was employed by the police force in 1991 as a fingerprint specialist. In November 1993 he was involved in an accident, broke his neck, and was left paralysed from the neck down.

In 1998 he learned how to paint with his mouth and took art classes at the Bellville library in Cape Town for five years.

PHOTO GALLERY: Mouth and Foot Painters impress

Patrick's first painting, two orange roses, took him four months to complete but he persevered. His newfound talent got him accepted as a student at the Mouth and Foot Painting Association in Switzerland in 2000 and 15 years later he became an associate member.

He started painting with acrylics and later moved over to water and oil. He likes painting landscapes, flowers, and animals.

Patrick's motto in life is, "My victories depend on how I handle my failures and defeats".

"This association has changed my life in so many ways and I am thankful to them for helping to restore the purpose in my life. I am disabled but this has not stopped my talent. It is through the help of this association that I was still able to achieve and do something with my life," Patrick said proudly.

A painting by Patrick Botto