Geoff Dossetor: renowned local artist
Talented Boroondara mouth painting artist Geoff Dossetor is holding the first solo exhibition of his work, entitled ‘Overcoming Adversity’, at Hawthorn Town Hall Gallery from 17 June to 25 July 2026.
After a hang-gliding accident in 2001 left him quadriplegic, Dossetor began painting using brushes held in his mouth. ‘Overcoming Adversity’ is a community exhibition that explores artistic expression in the face of a life-altering injury.
‘Painting has been an important part of my rehabilitation. I find inspiration in the places, creatures and themes I value. As a Melburnian, I’m particularly drawn to celebrating my connection to the community through landscapes. I also hope that my works inspire and uplift those with disabilities to focus on their strengths,’ said Dossetor.
‘There are many things I can’t do anymore because of my disability, but I can paint. It’s nice to be able to escape and create artwork. I paint with my mouth, using short brushes with rubber tubing around the end where I can bite and hold the brush in my mouth,’ added Dossetor.
Dossetor’s family has lived in Boroondara for several generations.
‘I was born here, educated here, and studied physical education and mathematics before basing myself in Queenstown, New Zealand. It was there as a professional hang glider pilot that my accident occurred. Before that, I also travelled extensively throughout the 90s. I returned home to Melbourne to be closer to my family, who have played a role in raising my daughter.
‘After my accident, I met a student mouth-painting artist in New Zealand who encouraged me to give it a try. After submitting my first six paintings, I was offered a student membership of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA),’ said Dossetor.
Entry to Dossetor’s exhibition is free with parking nearby. He is exhibiting 32 paintings, half of which are for sale. The paintings span the range of artwork he has produced over the past 20 years. They were painted with either oil or water-mixable oil.