29 September 2025
There are few events in Australia's cultural calendar quite as beloved, or as steeped in tradition, as the Royal Queensland Show — affectionately known to generations of locals simply as "Ekka." This year's edition proved once again why the event holds such a special place in the hearts of Queenslanders, drawing the highest number of visitors in many years and reaffirming its status as a cornerstone of the state's cultural life.
A Tradition Nearly 150 Years in the Making
Hundreds of thousands of visitors flocked to Brisbane throughout August to experience the show firsthand, continuing a tradition that stretches all the way back to 1876. For nearly a century and a half, Ekka has brought together farmers, artisans, entertainers, and families from across Queensland and beyond, celebrating the state's agricultural heritage alongside a dazzling array of entertainment, food, competitions, and exhibitions. That the 2025 edition attracted record crowds speaks to the enduring power of this tradition — a reminder that, even in an age of digital entertainment, there remains something irreplaceable about gathering together in person to celebrate shared culture and community.
Amid the show's countless attractions — from livestock competitions to carnival rides to the famous strawberry sundaes — one exhibit continues to stand out for the particular kind of inspiration it offers visitors: the participation of the mouth and foot painting artists.
A Beloved and Enduring Highlight
Once again this year, the presence of the mouth and foot painting artists proved to be a particular highlight of the show, with the artists warmly received by an audience captivated by their impressive artistry, charisma, and openness. For many visitors, encountering these artists at Ekka has become something of a tradition in its own right — an opportunity to witness extraordinary artistic skill up close, and to come away with a renewed appreciation for the creativity and determination that define the mouth and foot painting community.
This year, three artists represented the community on the show floor: Grant Sharman, Patricia Jackson, and Grant Philip, each appearing on different days throughout the show's run. Rather than simply displaying finished paintings, the artists presented their work live, painting in real time before the eyes of curious onlookers. This live element transformed the exhibit from a passive viewing experience into something far more engaging and memorable — visitors were not merely looking at art, but witnessing its creation, brushstroke by brushstroke, painted with the mouth or the foot in place of the hand.
Conversations That Build Understanding
Perhaps just as important as the live painting demonstrations themselves were the conversations that unfolded around them. Throughout their time at the show, Grant Sharman, Patricia Jackson, and Grant Philip made themselves available to answer questions from visitors, engaging directly with an often curious and deeply appreciative public. These interactions gave visitors — many of whom may never before have had the opportunity to speak with an artist who paints without the use of their hands — a chance to ask genuine questions, share their admiration, and learn more about the artists' techniques, their journeys, and their lives.
These direct interactions with the public were very well received, and it is easy to understand why. There is a particular kind of impact that comes from personal connection — from hearing an artist describe, in their own words, how they approach their craft, rather than simply reading a placard beside a finished painting. For the thousands of visitors who paused at the exhibit this year, these conversations likely left a far deeper impression than the artwork alone could have achieved.
A Place of Inspiration, Inclusion, and Diversity
Taken together, the artists' live painting, their generous engagement with visitors, and the sheer scale of the crowds who came to see them made the mouth and foot painting exhibit a genuine highlight of Ekka 2025 — a place of inspiration, inclusion, and artistic diversity nestled within one of Australia's largest and most cherished public events.
In many ways, the setting could hardly have been more fitting. The Royal Queensland Show has always been a celebration of resilience, hard work, and community — values embodied in the state's agricultural traditions, and equally embodied in the extraordinary artistic achievements of the mouth and foot painting artists who exhibited this year. Amid the show's dazzling array of attractions, their presence offered something quietly profound: a reminder that talent and determination know no bounds, and that some of the most striking art on display at Ekka this year was created not despite physical limitation, but through remarkable adaptation, patience, and skill.
Looking Ahead
As the dust settles on another hugely successful Ekka, the record turnout this year stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the show — and to the powerful role that the mouth and foot painting artists continue to play within it. Year after year, their participation transforms a small corner of the showground into a space of genuine connection between artist and audience, leaving countless visitors with a new appreciation for what is possible when creativity refuses to be limited by circumstance.
For Grant Sharman, Patricia Jackson, Grant Philip, and the wider mouth and foot painting community, this year's Royal Queensland Show was more than another successful appearance on the exhibition circuit — it was another opportunity to inspire, to educate, and to connect with the people of Queensland, one conversation and one brushstroke at a time.
Source: VDMFK News