Home / Art

Artist Born Without Hands Creates Masterful Photo-Realistic Portraits

Mariusz Kedzierski photorealistic portraits art artist without arms

Like many people, Polish artist Mariusz Kędzierski has been drawing since he was a child. What separates him from most gifted artists is the fact that he was born without hands. Specializing in photo-realistic portraits sketched in pencil, he's never let his disability hold him back from his art career.

While Kędzierski was forced to stop painting and drawing at age 12 due to upcoming surgeries, the young artist was able to take up his artwork again in 2008. Since that time he's sketched over 700 pieces, proving that the self-taught artist is a force of creativity.

“For me, a disability doesn’t mean that I can’t live my own, great life,” the artist shares. For the past 8 years, Kędzierski has created over 700 drawings that have taken him more than 15,000 hours to complete.

Kędzierski's work has not gone unrecognized. Now, his art can be purchased in the US, Great Britain, and South Korea, and in 2015 he was awarded the Audience Prize “Man Without Barriers” in Poland.

This artist born without hands is breaking barriers with his magnificent art.

Mariusz Kedzierski photorealistic portraits art artist without arms

Mariusz Kedzierski photorealistic portraits art artist without arms

Mariusz Kedzierski photorealistic portraits art artist without arms

Mariusz Kedzierski photorealistic portraits art artist without arms

Mariusz Kedzierski photorealistic portraits art artist without arms

Mariusz Kedzierski photorealistic portraits art artist without arms

Mariusz Kedzierski photorealistic portraits art artist without arms

Mariusz Kedzierski photorealistic portraits art artist without arms

Mariusz Kedzierski photorealistic portraits art artist without arms

Mariusz Kedzierski photorealistic portraits art artist without arms

Mariusz Kedzierski photorealistic portraits art artist without arms

Mariusz Kędzierski: Website | Facebook | Instagram

All images via the artist.

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content