Lamìs Omar

A globetrotting paper charmer

• Lamìs transforms paper into 3D visual stories
• She undertakes collaborative projects in various spheres
• Her installations are playful and joyful

Born in Yemen, Lamìs Omar has travelled the world from early childhood and lived in many places, absorbing different cultures. She graduated in Industrial Design, and her academic background includes fine arts, fashion and graphic design. Attending a course on paper folding, something clicked and a special relationship with paper was born. Lamìs began creating pop-up books for children and in 2013 she was ready to open her Pratìc atelier, where she transforms paper drawings into marvellous visual stories, inspired by magical tales, new places and cultures, architecture patterns, scenography, toys and puppets. “I love the playful experience of transforming thoughts, ideas or feelings into something visual and physical, that evokes happy emotions in me and others,” she says.

Interview

©Lamis Omar

©Lamis Omar

Why did you choose to devote yourself to this craft?

First, because of a childhood passion. I was in love with magical tales and pop-up books: since not many were available to me, and most of them were in English (which I did not speak), I had to create my own stories by looking at the scenery. This work was a way to bring my childhood fantasies to life.

What happened between then and today?

After graduating in Product Design, I realised that the speed of our age of mass production was too much for me. I felt I can contribute much more to society by creating what I wanted to see in the world around me. I believe creativity and playful storytelling have the power to heal and inspire us to be better humans.

How do you merge creativity and traditions?

I experiment with shapes and the final visual impact more than with the technique itself. I aim at maintaining a healthy balance between using the latest technologies (which can speed up the production phase) and the more traditional craft features, which are human and imperfect – the reason why I started on this path.

How does your international life affect your work?

I have lived in various places and cultures, Yemen, Cuba, the UK, Italy, Spain, since childhood. It has had a major influence on me. In my work, a poetic approach and a detail-oriented architecture are inspired by a sort of nostalgic East, while balanced compositions come from Roman perfectionism.

Lamìs Omar is a master artisan: she began her career in 2013 and she started teaching in 2015

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