Karipbek Kuyukov
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
.jpg)
Karipbek Kuyukov (Kazakh: Кәріпбек Күйіков, pronounced [kæ.rɪp.ˈpek kyj.ˈyk.ɵp]) is a Kazakh painter born without arms as a result of exposure to nuclear radiation from Soviet nuclear testing in Eastern Kazakhstan.[1] Kuyukov is a global advocate for the cessation of nuclear weapons testing and worldwide nuclear disarmament.[2] He is the Honorary Ambassador for The ATOM Project.
Kuyukov was born in the village of Yegindybulak, just 60 miles (97 km) from where the Soviet Union conducted more than 450 nuclear weapons tests from 1949 to 1989 on where is today the territory of Kazakhstan.[3]
Painting and artwork
Kuyukov paints holding brushes with his teeth and toes. He has dedicated his artistic life to painting impressions of the environmental and human devastation caused by nuclear weapons testing.[4]