Blind painter Sargy Mann: Painting with inner vision - BBC News

Sargy Mann has been painting all of his professional life, first as a teacher and later as a professional artist. In his mid-30s he developed cataracts on both eyes, eventually leading to total blindness. He continued to paint.Twenty-five years later, Sargy's work is highly sought-after by collectors with paintings regularly selling for upward of £50,000 (US$80,000).
He spoke to BBC News about his life and gave an insight into how he continues to work.
Video journalists: James Dowd & Matt Margrett

[alzaruba]

I'm a sculptor and painter- went through a bloody near death experience from stage 4 cancer in 2005. Attitude is eveything, yet Sargy Mann's simplicity of vision- his critical decision to explore regardless of what appeared to be impossible circumstances- offers all of humanity a profound higher road- to press on, to dream bigger and to reach further.

[marciahodges]

So much more than a master artist...a master of life and hope, encouragement and miracles.

[MegustaGamingCorner]

Rest in Peace, what an inspirational man!

[jocliff]

Sargy Mann was my drawing tutor at Camberwell and he really influenced me so much..I really love his paintings and to think that he works them without sight, such an inspiration still, after all these years ..Wonderful.

[red]

im a painter myself and have been struggling a lot to loosen up my brushwork and just enjoy the process and when i see people like this man i get inspired to the max. his art seems so free so full of movement and desire and he cant even see it wow
damn impressive

[sb]

This brings me to tears. I am a writer, and I have often wondered how I could continue to write if I ever lost my sight. Now I know that it wouldn't be an obstacle at all. RIP, Sargy Mann--and thank you.

[RosssRoyce]

It is beyond words to express how beautiful these paintings are!

[liammcooper]

4:12 "If your subject is your own experience, then as long as you're having an experience, you've got a subject." Very Kantian-Schopenhauerian.

[beebee]

This man is a total inspiration. He makes me realise I am not focusing intensely enough nor in the correct way when it comes to my paintings and how I should think of the process. Thank you Sarggey Man for not only your great art works but for teaching me how to open my artistic mind.

[tienhungnguyen]

i am so touched because the miracle he has created. he is a real artist.

[sanooj]

Wow...very attractive and beautiful painting...He is an excellent painter...His blindness never effected his paintings...His passion and how much love is showing his every painting. Each paintings has beautiful inside meanings we can see....

[Dbdconnect]

What an incredible story; thank you for posting, BBC.

[catharinaventer]

I am so inspired, I would love to spend a day with this wonderful man, watch him paint, and listen to his stories. Truely amazing

[ypure]

I truly honored that Sargy taught me at Camberwell..drawing. He was tough!!! many scary of him, but when he congratulated you..if...if was so valuable..I remember when he congratulated me on my tree park drawing..will never forget that!! Camberwell park 1980s

[keghamminasarmeniansoul]

Incredible and miraculous ! When the tragic blidness of Sargy Mann opens the eyes 
of his soul ! Wonderful, priceless paintings *

[viktoriaromanova]

Your paintings are unbelievably beautiful!! Bless you Sargy!!

[nadjetkaraer]

Eyes look but don't see; the real blindness is the blindness of the heart

[SethGavriel]

Wow. Just wow. This is fantastic this being exists, and is doing what he’s doing. Stuff like this gives me hope for the world☺️❤️👍

[hoangyen]

It's amazing. This blind painter inspites me to do what i suppose that i cant do. Thank you so much. God bless you.

[BBCNews]

Sargy Mann has been painting all of his professional life, first as a teacher and later as a professional artist. In his mid-30s he developed cataracts on both eyes, eventually leading to total blindness. He continued to paint.25 years later, Sargy's work is highly sought-after by collectors with paintings regularly selling for upward of US$80, 000.