Siejtbatalow Walery

Mr Walery Siejtbatalow was born in Denisovka, Kazakhstan, on 8 June 1965. He suffered a cervical spinal injury after jumping from a hill into a river and has been confined to a wheelchair since then. To escape from his loss of mobility, he began writing with a pen in his mouth. Later he also hit on the idea of painting and drawing in this way. Consequently, he taught himself to paint with his mouth. The VDMFK first granted him a scholarship in 2012.

A colourfully illustrated bible for children inspired him to portray motifs of Christ and other biblical scenes. In the following years his technique grew to encompass painting stained glass windows and portraits of his friends. Later on, he began using oil paints in his pictures. His first painting using this technique was an icon, and further award-winning icons soon followed. In recognition of his work, the artist was visited by the Archbishop Anthony of Ural and Guryevsk, during the course of whose visit he had the honour of being bestowed with a high religious order. Mr Siejtbatalow has held numerous exhibitions which have been held in high regard by the public.