Marcus Chen
The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) is an organization that supports and promotes artists who create artwork using their mouths or feet due to disability or disease. The organization has faced criticism and scrutiny for its sales and marketing tactics, with some accusing it of being a scam or a charity that does not give enough proceeds to the artists. Despite the controversy, the organization has grown into a global association, with artists' works distributed and exhibited internationally. This paragraph introduces the topic by providing an overview of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists organization, including its purpose, the criticism it has faced, and its international presence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | The Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World |
| Other Names | Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA), AMFPA, VDMFK |
| Year Founded | 1957 |
| Founder | Erich Stegmann |
| Purpose | To support and promote artists who, due to disability or disease, cannot create art with their hands but use their mouths or feet |
| Current Status | Active worldwide in 69 countries with about 740 artists |
| Artist's Work Distribution | 45 countries |
| Funding | Sales of greeting cards, calendars, prints, and illustrated books |
| Charity Status | Not a charity |
| Criticism | Negative media coverage regarding its commercial practices |
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What You'll Learn
- The Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World (AMFPA) was founded in 1957
- The organisation sees itself as a victim of unfair media coverage
- AMFPA sued the Danish Broadcasting Corporation and Danish daily Ekstra Bladet for libel
- MFPA is the British organisation for mouth and foot painters, established in 1973
- MFPA is not a charity and does not qualify for charitable assistance
The Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World (AMFPA) was founded in 1957
The first president of the association was Arnulf Erich Stegmann, a German artist who lost the use of both arms due to polio at the age of two. Despite his physical challenges, Stegmann's artistic talents were recognised and nurtured by his teachers. He mastered various brushes and styles using only his mouth. Before the founding of AMFPA, Stegmann organised the "Lodge of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists" in 1953-1954, which served as a community for artists with similar painting methods.
The roots of AMFPA can be traced back to Stegmann's belief that artists with disabilities could achieve financial stability and security through their artistic endeavours if they formed a cooperative. This led to the creation of a unique worldwide art movement and a commercial endeavour. The association has always maintained that it is not a charity and does not seek charitable assistance. Instead, it focuses on promoting and selling the artwork of its members in the form of greeting cards, calendars, prints, and illustrated books.
Over the years, AMFPA has grown into a global association, with about 740 artists represented in 69 countries across all five continents. The association continues to support and promote artists with disabilities, ensuring that they can pursue their passion for painting and make a living through their artistic talents.
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The organisation sees itself as a victim of unfair media coverage
The Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World (AMFPA) sees itself as a victim of unfair media coverage. The organisation was founded in 1957 as a "self-help" organisation to further the painting skills of mouth and foot painters, promote their artwork, and support them financially.
AMFPA has stated that it never introduced pressure sales tactics but made use of direct mailing methods before competitors and charity organisations. However, in December 2005, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation and Danish daily Ekstra Bladet published negative coverage of the organisation. AMFPA sued for libel, but the High Court of Eastern Denmark ruled in favour of the journalists, citing statements such as "a well-oiled money-making machine" and "only a measly 3% is going to the mouth and foot painting artists".
The roots of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA), the British organisation and a member of AMFPA, can be traced back to the same year when Erich Stegmann, a polio survivor who painted with a mouth-held brush, and a small group of disabled artists from eight European countries, created a self-help association. Stegmann believed that if artists with similar impairments formed a cooperative, they could live by their artistic efforts and enjoy work security. This was achieved by selling their artwork in various forms, such as greeting cards, calendars, and prints, creating a unique worldwide art movement.
MFPA has always maintained that it is not a charity and does not rely on charitable assistance. Instead, it aims to empower artists with disabilities to build successful careers through their artistic talents. The organisation has showcased the works of mouth and foot painters in numerous museums, town halls, and international exhibitions worldwide, highlighting their impressive skills and inspiring stories.
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AMFPA sued the Danish Broadcasting Corporation and Danish daily Ekstra Bladet for libel
The Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World (AMFPA) is a legitimate organisation that was founded in 1957 in Liechtenstein. It was set up as a self-help organisation to promote the artwork of mouth and foot painters, and to support them financially. The first president of the association was Arnulf Erich Stegmann, a prominent figure in the development of mouth and foot painting.
In 2007, AMFPA sued the Danish Broadcasting Corporation and Danish daily Ekstra Bladet for libel, following negative coverage in December 2005. The High Court of Eastern Denmark ruled in favour of the accused journalists, stating that there was a sufficient factual basis for the statements.
Ekstra Bladet is one of the top online news destinations in Denmark. The paper has previously been sued for libel by Icelandic bank Kaupthing, which was paid substantial damages, covering the bank's legal costs. The paper also issued an apology on its news site for a month.
Libel is a punishable act in Denmark, according to § 267 of the penal code. The provision against libel states that anyone who offends another person's honour by insulting words or actions, or by stating or disseminating charges that are suitable for reducing the insulted person in the esteem of fellow citizens, will be punished by fine or ordinary imprisonment. Danish law also protects formal freedom of speech, meaning that one cannot be required to submit their speech for review by authorities before publishing or otherwise disseminating it.
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MFPA is the British organisation for mouth and foot painters, established in 1973
The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) is the British organisation for mouth and foot painters. It was established in 1973 following legislation stating that disabled people should be in charge of the business activities of organisations representing them. The MFPA is a member organisation of the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World (AMFPA), which was founded in 1957 as a "self-help" organisation to promote the artwork of its members and support them financially.
The AMFPA was the brainchild of Arnulf Erich Stegmann, a prominent figure in the development of mouth and foot painting. Born in 1912 in Darmstadt, Germany, Stegmann lost the use of both arms from polio at the age of two. However, he went on to develop his artistic talents using only his mouth. Before establishing the AMFPA, Stegmann organised the "Lodge of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists" in 1953/54, which later developed into the international "Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists", with Stegmann elected president for life.
The AMFPA facilitates the sale of artwork produced by mouth and foot painting artists associated with the organisation. It represents around 820 artists located in 76 countries, of whom 143 (as of 2016) are full members and receive a monthly fee from the date of their admission until their death. The main product of the organisation is Christmas cards designed by the artists, which are sold annually in the months leading up to Christmas via direct mailing in 48 countries. Other products include postcards, art prints, and calendars.
The MFPA is committed to providing disabled people with the opportunity to become financially independent while also offering them creative fulfilment. Through the organisation, artists can showcase their unique talents and gain recognition for their impressive works.
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MFPA is not a charity and does not qualify for charitable assistance
The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) is a legitimate organization that supports and promotes artists who paint using their mouths or feet due to disability or disease. The roots of the MFPA go back to 1957 when the painter Erich Stegmann, a polio survivor who grew up without the use of his arms, and a small group of disabled artists from eight European countries created a self-help association.
Stegmann believed that if painters with similar impairments formed a cooperative, they could earn a living from their artistic endeavours and enjoy a sense of work security. This was achieved by selling their artwork in the form of greeting cards, calendars, prints, and illustrated books. The MFPA has always maintained that it is not a charity and does not qualify for charitable assistance. Instead, it is a unique worldwide art movement and commercial endeavour. The keyword for Stegmann was "partnership," and he abhorred the idea of charity or pity.
The MFPA is the British organization for mouth and foot painters and is a member of the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World (AMFPA or VDMFK). The AMFPA was founded in 1957 as a "self-help" organization to further the painting skills of mouth and foot painters, promote their artwork, and support them financially. Over the years, the AMFPA has grown into a global association with about 740 artists in 69 countries, and their reproduced works are distributed in 45 countries.
While the MFPA and AMFPA are not charities in the traditional sense, they provide a valuable platform for artists with disabilities to showcase and sell their artwork, improving their working and living conditions. The organizations promote the interests of mouth and foot painting artists, negotiate contracts with publishers worldwide, and grant scholarships to develop these artists' abilities. The artwork created by these individuals is impressive and has been showcased in numerous museums and town halls around the world.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) is an organization for mouth and foot painters that was established in 1973 in the UK. It is a member of the global Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World (AMFPA).
The AMFPA was founded in 1957 as the "Vereinigung der Mund- und Fussmalenden Künstler in aller Welt, e. V." (VDMFK) in Liechtenstein.
The AMFPA was founded as a "self-help" organization to promote the artwork of mouth and foot painters, support them financially, and further develop their painting skills.
The MFPA has been criticized for its use of direct mailing and for not being transparent about where the money from its sales goes. There have been accusations that it is a scam and that only a small percentage of the profits go to the artists. However, it is a registered association and has been active for over 50 years, with artists' work being displayed in museums and town halls worldwide.
The MFPA has stated that it is not a charity and does not qualify for charitable assistance. Its founder, Erich Stegmann, believed in "partnership" over "charity." However, some people have been confused about whether it is a charity due to its wording in advertisements.
