For March’s Tiny Gallery show, Jasper is hosting local artist Fairoozan Art, whose show “A Warm Welcome to My World of Paper” opened on the 1st and closes on the 31st.
Fairoozan Art’s modernization of the paper quilling technique has led to recognition across both South Carolina and beyond. She has premiered a plethora of exhibitions and solo shows, including owning her own art gallery at Tapp’s Art Center, participating in Columbia Open Studios and Time for Art, and showing her work at Soda City Market and the Rosewood Art Festival.
Learn more about what led Fairoozan Art to her medium, her artistic process, and her Tiny Gallery show below.
JASPER: It’s evident through your work that you’re passionate about what you do—when did you start getting into art?
FAIROOZAN: My artistic talents started from a young age and then developed during my studies, in which I received support from both the school and my family. During my university studies in the field of art, I received a lot of encouragement from my professors to pursue the profession of drawing.
JASPER: What did you study in university?
FAIROOZAN: I finished a 4-year bachelor’s degree in art from the Baghdad University of Art.
JASPER: Did you have any opportunities outside of school that allowed you to home in on your abilities?
FAIROOZAN: My former job as an art teacher and the interaction with students over many years helped me improve my skills.
“Flowers Tree”
JASPER: You’ve practiced art for decades, in and out of school, but what led you to this specific medium, to working with paper?
FAIROOZAN: I have been interested in various forms of papercraft since my school years, but it took me quite a while to find my own way of bringing together my love of paper with my experience in painting.
JASPER: What kind of styles do you use within this medium, especially now versus when you started?
FAIROOZAN: I have actually discovered a new way of using the basic paper technique—I am drawing with paper instead of on it. When I started, I had no idea it was called paper quilling, and I soon made the quilling process interesting and modern.
JASPER: What goes into making these works? Do you sketch them out first, or go in straight away with paper?
FAIROOZAN: Before starting to design a painting, I draw the subject that aims at a specific idea with acrylic colors, then start sticking papers on the artboard as if I am drawing with paper, showing shadow and light by laying down the papers in different directions on the artboard.
JASPER: How do you choose where to start, less mechanically, but more on a creative level?
FAIROOZAN: My thoughts are clashing when choosing a specific topic to begin designing a painting. In the beginning, I focus on the emotional aspect, then I turn it into a realistic style and add an abstract style to it. I choose colors derived from nature and life in the seas. I’ve touched on many topics in my paintings, from portraits, inanimate objects, passion, love, animal images, to contemporary paintings.
“Green Bough”
JASPER: How long does the paper quilling process usually take?
FAIROOZAN: It can take from a few days to a few weeks or even longer – it all depends on the level of details, size, and design. The largest paper artwork I ever made took me around 6 weeks.
JASPER: How did you choose what to make/select for this show specifically?
FAIROOZAN: The goal of Tiny Gallery is to allow artists an opportunity to show a selection of their smaller pieces of art offered at affordable price points attractive to beginning collectors and art patrons with smaller budgets. Based on that, I selected items from my artwork collection that demonstrated different types of subjects.
JASPER: You reflected on your artwork to select pieces for the show; reflecting on your career itself, do you have any favorite memories?
FAIROOZAN: The most beautiful and greatest memory of me as a painter, which I will never forget, is during my university studies when my professor urged me to continue in the field of painting and told me that I had a talent and that I would become an international artist.
JASPER: What’s in the future for you then? What’s coming next?
FAIROOZAN: My future goal is to open an art institute to teach paper art, specifically how to use different types of paper to create 2d and 3d (sculpture) artworks.
JASPER: And where can people see your work in the immediate aftermath of this show?
FAIROOZAN: Currently, my artwork is displayed on my website on the internet, Etsy, and social media. I am also planning a few art shows for summer and winter 2022.
“Flower Shape”
Fairoozan Art’s show will be up for only a few more days, coming down March 31st. You can access her show via Jasper’s virtual gallery.
If you want to keep up with the artist, check out her website. You can also follow her on Etsy, Instagram, and TikTok @zadcreation or on Facebook @ZADCreationSC.