Nadeem Shaikh
Foot Painting Artist · IMFPA Mumbai
“Born without hands, but filled with imagination.”
About Nadeem
Nadeem is one of the artists who helped us design SPARSH. He has been a foot painting artist for over 18 years and a member of IMFPA (Indian Mouth and Foot Painting Artists) since 2008. He studied at Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai, where he completed the Portrait Course. He completed his 12th grade with his feet — a quiet detail that says everything about how he works. He is an official scholarship holder with the VDMFK — the international Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists — recognised since 2008.
Nadeem's art has been shown across India. He was featured in The Leela Calendar 2024, and he has painted commissioned portraits of celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and Salman Khan.
When we first showed Nadeem our robot idea, he told us something we still remember: “The joy is in making the art. Not in watching a machine make it.” That one sentence changed our whole project. We stopped thinking about a robot that paints by itself. We started thinking about a robot that helps the artist paint. That's why SPARSH is what it is today.
Meeting Nadeem at our robotics lab, where the SPARSH idea was reshaped.
Nadeem in his own words
- Born without hands but filled with imagination, I'm a foot painting artist who inspires people through my artwork and story.
- 18+ years of experience in foot painting.
- Completed Portrait Course from Sir J.J. School of Art.
- Completed 12th grade with my feet.
What Nadeem Offers
Nadeem works with individuals, organisations, and corporate teams in four ways:
Foot Painting
Original commissioned paintings using foot-held brushes. Each work is one-of-a-kind.
Live Demonstrations
Real-time foot painting demonstrations for audiences who want to see the process firsthand.
Art Workshops
Workshops that teach foot painting techniques and creative expression. Open to all skill levels.
Motivational Speaking
Talks about perseverance, creativity, and pursuing art despite physical challenges.
Achievements
- •Official Scholarship Holder with VDMFK (Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists) since 2008
- •IMFPA member since 2008
- •Best Painting award (IMFPA), 2023
- •Featured in The Leela Calendar 2024
- •Studied at Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai (Portrait Course)
- •Celebrity portrait commissions including Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and Salman Khan
- •His work has been exhibited across India
Selected Works
Nadeem demonstrating SPARSH during our testing sessions.
Contact Nadeem
Email nadeemshaikhfootartist@gmail.com
Instagram @nadeemshaikhfootartist
VDMFK — Association of Mouth & Foot Painting Artists Worldwide vdmfk.com/en/artists/shaikh-nadeem
To commission a painting from Nadeem, please contact him directly through the channels above. Team SPARSH connects you to the artist — we do not handle sales or transactions.