Paper makes magic for young origami artist with disability

AMMAN — Born with a genetic dysfunction that prevents him from using his hands and fingers correctly in addition to a weak hearing ability, 27-year-old Faisal Isleem was forced to stop his education after 10th grade.

"Because of my lack of education and all these medical issues, which are developing year-by-year, I started feeling like a disabled, non-useful member of the community," Isleem, whose origami art is at the centre of the "Paper Makes Magic" exhibition remembered, adding "I isolated myself spending most of my time at home doing computer programming."

His online searches however, turned his life around, as he discovered websites on origami — a paper folding art associated with Japanese culture. 

"Since I was six years old, I used to love playing with paper, imagining that many figures can come out of a single sheet. It started as a hobby and, step by step, I started creating new figures on my own," Isleem told The Jordan Times, noting that he and his family had no idea that this technique was actually a widespread art form. 

Isleem's creativity recently found its audience, as he displays his work at the "Paper Makes Magic" exhibition held at Skyline Sushi in Amman. 

"Our restaurant was inspired by the Japanese legend of Senbazuru that promises a dream coming true for anyone who folds 1,000 origami cranes. So, for every 100 cranes that our customers fold, the Landmark hotel makes a wish come true for a special and deserving person," said Mary Nazzal, founder of the hotel, noting that Isleem's show is the fourth wish to be granted after the payment of a young girl from the Gaza refugee camp's tuition fees and a Mother’s Day handcraft bazaar for 90 entrepreneurial mothers, among others.  

"Being creative and loving the paperwork made me feel like I could be an active member in the community's art field," said Isleem, stressing "it helped me a lot in setting a goal to achieve in front of my eyes."

A year ago, he became an ambassador for people with disabilities for WARAGAMI team, a Jordanian company specialised in origami and quilling, an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs. 

"I believe that art can make a change in society because, as you try to form very complicated origami shapes, you prove to others that you have the will and positivity to succeed," Isleem highlighted, noting that "seeing my art showcased to the public is very exciting; it makes me very happy and is really a push for me to achieve more, and never lose hope".

The 27-year-old voiced his desire to become a "successful and effective member of the origami and quilling community" and "to be able to help others gain a positive perspective in facing their obstacles and disabilities".

He recently gave a two month origami and quilling teaching course in Zaha Cultural Centre but said this exhibition is "truly different". 

"Not only is it located in a place deeply related to origami, it also will help another talented person with a disability to show their talent to the world, as 15 per cent of any of the sales will go to support another project," he said, thanking amputee artist Abdo Naseif whose “One Hand Claps" exhibition's proceeds helped him turn his paper into magic. 

"I am truly admirative of Faisal and his strong will and efforts to face his suffering by making art and socialising with the community," Naseif told The Jordan Times, adding "he is a successful model proving that disability should never stop anyone from accomplishing and reaching their goals."

Isleem's creations will be exhibited until May 13, alongside Alia Shouli's, a 30-year-old expert in 3D origami art, Master student Farah Al Shami and engineering student Mustafa Halaweh.