UAA Presentation Evening Booklet 2016 (web)

A message from Tom Yendell
Chairman of Trustees
The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists’ Trust Fund
For The Training of Handicapped Children In The Arts
I have been a professional Mouth and Foot Painter for the last thirty years. I was
born without arms and hands due to my Mother being prescribed the drug
Thalidomide. I have always seen myself as physically able, I just use my feet, mouth
and chin to do the everyday things that able-bodied people do with their hands.
Over the years I have been pigeon holed, being called a Thalidomide victim,
armless and disabled. It is the word “disabled” that I find totally inappropriate and
inaccurate. It is a very negative word, with words beginning with the prefix “dis’”
connoting negativity, dismember, dissatisfy and disaster for instance. I have always
wanted to try to find a new word that would describe my abilities.
Last year the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists were fortunate to have an exhibition of their artwork at the
Bristol Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. A number of our artists were showing their artwork and also demonstrating
their Mouth and Foot Painting Techniques. In such circumstances when there are children present I
always have a pile of postcards that are blank on their backs. When a young child comes over to watch me
drawing with my feet I ask his name, writing it in bubble writing on the postcard, I draw a small picture
alongside his name and then give it to him. A young boy came over to see what I was drawing; I asked
his name, “Adam” he said. He was ten years old. Watched by Adam and his parents I wrote his name and
drew a cartoon of him. I then gave the finished design to him. He took it, turned, walked a few paces and
stopped. He stood for a few seconds looking at his postcard then turned back to me and said ‘Thank you
so much for my picture I love your uniqueness’. I love the idea that I am unique. I am unique both in my
physicality and my art.
So this is where the idea of The Unique Art Awards came from.
Don’t forget to spread the word about the Unique Art Awards 2017
Please look at our web site! www.uniqueartawards.uk