THE Mouth and Foot Painting Artists have held a unique exhibition at the Camden Image Gallery, featuring just the mouth or foot of British icons from the worlds of sport, music and entertainment in a bid to turn the portrait genre on its head.

Among the pieces was work by East Hampshire artist Tom Yendell who had painted cyclist Bradley Wiggins’ feet after his Tour de France win.

Paintings on display include the dazzling smile of singer Alesha Dixon, created by Alison Lapper; the magic boot of Jonny Wilkinson by Ian Parker, the dancing feet of Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke by Katrina Gardner, and the mouth of Grammy Award-nominated, multi-platinum singer Susan Boyle by Rosaleen Moriarty-Simmonds.

The free exhibition has also attracted the participation of other celebrities including comedian Sean Lock, former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott and singer KT Tunstall, well-known for their specific talents using either their mouth or their foot.

The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists has been operating in the UK since 1957 and is part of a worldwide co-operative that was specifically formed by disabled artists to “empower themselves and help them achieve financial independence without the need for charity”.

Mr Yendell, the youngest of five children, was born without arms as a result of his mother having been prescribed thalidomide during pregnancy.

The exhibition at the Camden Image Gallery in north London coincided with the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists’ yearly Christmas card mailing launch on October 14.

The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists cards are a key source of income for the artists. To buy cards, visit mfpa.uk.