The free exhibition, titled Defying Limits, Defining Art, runs at The Lindley Hall at the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster from April 14 to 18, brings together more than 120 original artworks by artists from 33 countries – all created using only the mouth or feet.
Work by Rob Trent (Image: Rob Trent)
Rob Trent, who was born disabled and learned to write, draw and paint with a brush held between his teeth from a young age, is a Full Member of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA).
His watercolours and oils – often depicting English landscapes, boats and coastal scenes – bring a distinctly Dorset flavour to the international showcase.​
He has suffered from arthrogryposis since birth, an illness characterised by the stiffening of multiple joints and muscle defects.
Rob took up mouth painting in his search for a rewarding life-work balance after starting his career working as an IT analyst at Southampton General Hospital before joining Ordnance Survey in Southampton as an information risk analyst and was promoted to Senior Information Risk Manager in 1994.
Work by Rob Trent (Image: Rob Trent)
Rob’s artistic journey began with encouragement from his childhood home tutor, who told him about the MFPA and helped him receive a set of paints. He went on to join the association as a Student Artist in 1998, became an Associate Member in 2013, and achieved his ambition of becoming a Full Member after retiring from full-time work in 2018 to focus on his art.​
Last year, Rob became the first-ever UK artist to watch his original painting being transformed into an MFPA greetings card- a proud moment in a career defined by determination and creativity.
The 70th anniversary exhibition marks a milestone for the association, which was founded in 1956 by German artist Erich Stegmann. Born without the use of his arms after developing polio, Stegmann was adamant the organisation should never be seen as a charity, but as a co-operative where disabled artists could earn a living through their talent.​
Tom Yendell, UK board member of the association, said: “This exhibition is both a celebration and a reflection. For 70 years, our artists have challenged perceptions of disability and redefined what it means to create.​
“The Lindley Hall will host not just an exhibition, but a living, breathing testament to human resilience and artistic spirit.”
Today, the MFPA is a global social enterprise supporting 720 artists across 71 countries, all of whom have a severe disability – whether due to birth defects, accident or illness – and earn their living by painting with their mouth or feet.
The exhibition features works ranging from landscapes and portraits to contemporary and abstract compositions. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet some of the artists in person.​
Alison Lapper MBE, one of Britain’s most well-known disabled artists and a member of the MFPA, added: “Being part of the MFPA has given me a global community of artists who understand both the challenges and the beauty of creating without limits.”​
The exhibition runs daily from 10am to 5pm and admission is free. The Lindley Hall is at 80 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PB.​