Fatemeh Hammami Nasrabadi came into the world on February 1, 1989, as the second of twin girls. During childbirth, she was deprived of oxygen, which caused permanent brain damage and paralyzed 85 percent of her body. Despite this, the Iranian artist discovered a passion for painting and learned to create detailed portraits using only her foot. Her story proves that disability does not have to define a person’s life.
Discovery of talent in school desk
At the age of eight, Fatemeh first encountered painting at school. Her teacher, Mrs. Halaaji, noticed something exceptional in the girl. A child paralyzed almost entirely showed unexpected artistic abilities. This discovery opened a new path for Fatemeh.
The real breakthrough came seven years later. At the age of fifteen, Fatemeh began professional painting training. Two teachers took her under their wings and helped her perfect her technique. Through years of patient work, the artist mastered the art of portraiture to perfection.
Fatemeh specializes in realistic portraits created with colored pencils. Her works are characterized by extraordinary attention to detail. Every wrinkle, every shadow, and every light reflection are rendered with surgical precision. This is the result of hundreds of hours of practice and relentless determination.
The artist admits that portraiture is the most fascinating form of expression for her. In capturing facial features and character, she sees the greatest challenge. Her ability to capture the personality of her subject distinguishes her among other creators.
Love of football that opened the world
Fatemeh has been a huge football fan since childhood. This sport became a source of inspiration and motivation for her. She decided to combine her artistic passion with her adoration for football stars. She began creating portraits of famous players.
The breakthrough in her career was the portrait of Cristiano Ronaldo. When the artist published this work, the image went viral on social media and made front-page news. People around the world were amazed by the precision and beauty of the piece painted with a foot. This brought Fatemeh international fame.
In addition to the Portuguese player, Fatemeh also painted Lionel Messi and Iranian legend Ali Daei. Her collection of sports portraits includes dozens of figures from different countries and eras. Each requires weeks of intensive work and complete concentration.
In 2017, fate allowed Fatemeh to meet Cristiano Ronaldo in person. The Portuguese player came to Iran and during his visit saw his portrait. The meeting was a dream come true for the artist. Ronaldo expressed admiration for her talent and determination.
Broader horizons of artistic expression
Fatemeh does not limit herself exclusively to athletes. Her portfolio includes portraits of actors, musicians, and other famous personalities. She has painted Iranian actors Mehran Modiri, Dariush Arjomand, Jamshid Mashayekhi, and Parviz Parastui, among others.
Icons of world culture also appear in her works. Charlie Chaplin, the legendary silent film comedian, found himself on one of her canvases. Pop star Selena Gomez also received a portrait from under the foot of the Iranian artist. This diversity of subjects demonstrates the versatility of her talent.
Galleries in Tehran regularly exhibit Fatemeh’s works. Her exhibitions attract crowds of visitors interested not only in art but also in the story behind it. Each piece is testimony to human will and the ability to transcend limitations.
Fatemeh has also developed literary talent. Three books containing her writings have been published so far. She writes them the same way she paints, using her foot. This is further proof that her disability does not limit her creativity.
Living with disability and inspiration for millions
Fatemeh speaks openly about the challenges of her daily life. She admits that 85 percent disability makes every day require enormous effort. Painting one portrait takes significantly more time than in the case of a healthy artist. She works with only one leg, which requires extraordinary coordination and endurance.
Despite the difficulties, the artist never gave in to the temptation of resignation. She learned to dream boldly and work hard to achieve her goals. Her parents supported her from the beginning, believing in her capabilities. This support was the foundation of her success.
Today Fatemeh is a bright star on the Iranian art scene. On Instagram, she is followed by over 112 thousand people from around the world. Her account is a gallery of extraordinary works and a window into the life of an artist with disability. Comments are full of words of admiration and gratitude.
The story of Fatemeh Hammami Nasrabadi reminds us that one billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. It should not define their identity or limit their dreams. The Iranian artist is living proof that with determination and support, seemingly impossible things can be achieved. Her art transcends barriers of language, culture, and physical limitations, touching hearts of people across the globe.
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
- https://www.boredpanda.com/disabled-iranian-artist-draws-with-feet-fatemeh-hammami-nasrabadi/#_
- https://www.demilked.com/artist-draws-using-feet-fatemeh-hammami-nasrabadi/
- https://homamgallery.com/en/introducing-fatemeh-hamami-a-resilient-iranian-disabled-artist/
Margot Cleverly
Margot's journey into women's history began with a box of forgotten letters in a Cambridge archive – suffragettes whose voices had been silenced for over a century. Since then, she's been on a mission to uncover the stories history overlooked.
What she writes about: Queens who ruled from the shadows. Scientists whose male colleagues took credit. Revolutionaries who risked everything. But also ordinary women – those who survived wars, raised families through upheaval, and shaped their communities in ways no one bothered to record.
Margot turns historical figures into real people. She writes with warmth and detail, making centuries-old stories feel surprisingly relevant. Rigorous research meets accessible storytelling – no dusty academic jargon, just compelling narratives backed by solid facts.
When she's not writing, you'll find her in regional archives, collecting oral histories, or visiting sites connected to the women she writes about.