Although new to the Arab world, the art of paper quilling dates back centuries. What started off as a hobby for Italian and French nuns during the Renaissance is now an increasingly popular art form being practiced all over the world. This gentle art form involves rolling up strips of paper into shapes and designs that are used to decorate wedding invitations, birth announcements, greeting cards, scrapbook pages, and boxes and even art displays.
At the vanguard of the paper quilling movement in the UAE is Farah Humaid Al Fardh, the only Emirati paper quilling artist to be recognized both locally and internationally. Tempo caught up with her to learn more about this unique art.
An Artistic Discovery
Farah, 33, always had a passion for arts and crafts throughout her school life. She graduated in 2002 from Zayed University’s College of Communication and Media Sciences but was introduced to paper quilling in 2004 quite by accident…
“That was when I twisted my ankle and was advised bed rest for a month. I had to find a way to pass my time. I came across a book called Paper Twirling on Amazon, which included everything from the instructions to the materials required for the craft.”
She showed her artwork to her relatives, friends and colleagues, and they all encouraged her to develop her skills. Soon she started to sell her artwork through an online forum for UAE women. “The first of my artwork to be sold were in the shape of colourful sheep! And during the month of Ramadan, I sold 350 sheep! That was a great beginning for me.”
From Sheep to Stardom
Her success with the sheep art resulted in many queries regarding in an online forum, and soon Farah began posting DIY Paper Quilling articles online to explain how to make basic shapes and designs. These articles spread word of mouth about the artform throughout the Arab world and was especially noticed by one of the forum members, who happened to be an employee at Sama Dubai TV.
The Sama TV reporter invited Farah to present her artwork on a TV show called “Marasi” and soon after that Farah received a deluge of invitations from other channels. Farah was invited to channels like Rotana Khalijeya, Al Arabiya, Noor Dubai TV, Abu Dhabi TV, Al Ain TV, Dubai TV, Sharjah TV and Decision Makers TV.
In January 2009 Farah launched the first ever Arabic/English website on the art of paper quilling. “I called the website “Farooha,” my nickname, and soon I was getting lots of traffic and inquiries.” In fact the website became so popular that it went on to win the Tamaiaz Award from Mawarid Finance in May 2009 in the presence of Sheikh Majed Bin Mohamed Al Maktoum.
In 2009, Farah joined The Quilling Guild in the UK and was the first appointed regional representative from the UAE. She then joined the North American Quilling Guild, the Japan Quilling Guild in 2010 and the Dutch Quilling Guild in 2011.
Spreading the Word
Farah’s endeavours to spread the art of quilling in the Arab world have been successful. After her television appearance on Sama Dubai TV, Farah was invited by Dubai Women’s Association to conduct quilling workshops. She also had a kiosk in Modhesh Fun City for two months called “Al Fardh Crafts” where she sold many craft books and tools related to paper quilling.
In a bid to promote quilling in schools Farah conducted workshops in Ras Al Khaimah for art teachers from different emirates to promote the art in their own classes. “In all the encounters where I demonstrated the art, people were seeing quilling for the first time. It was amazing to see how people reacted to my work.”
In July 2009 Farah participated at the First Doll Exhibition at Dubai Festival City where she was the only Arab among 15 artists from around the world. Through this exhibition Farah started creating 3D figures or miniatures and introduced the first Emirati 3D figures.
In 2010, she conducted a workshop at Zayed University, which was part of the “Refresh” Festival and in the same year also participated in the RAK Economic Department creativity and talent exhibition. Farah was especially thrilled when she was asked to participate in the UAE’s 40th UAE National Day, and where she organized a quilling demonstration.
She says her next step is to start teaching classes formally. “ There are a lot of art enthusiasts who are looking for new creative options to explore.” She adds: “I know that all it takes is to get people started as quilling is very addictive. It’s like that commercial for Pringles: Once You Pop, You Can’t Stop. I want everyone to try it and experience the joy that it brings.”
By Sanah Chauhan
