Paper, time and passion have turned into much more for Origami artist Damian Michael. Through his craft, he is helping uplift children and communities of Johannesburg through one of the most accessible and life lesson-packed art forms!
Johannesburg, South Africa (25 August 2024) — When artist Damian Michael received an Origami book at 8 years old, the craft seemed difficult and far too much to follow at the time. Little did he know then that Origami would one day become not only his creative passion but also his way of making a difference for South Africa’s future.
Years after that first introduction to the Japanese art, Damian met an incredible woman called Kyoko Kimura.
“[Kyoko’s perspective and passion for Origami as a reflection of life’s beauty and struggles drew me in deeply and I began to take the practice more seriously,” he reflects.
Soon, he began assisting Kyoko with some folding for work in the film and ad industry, and in the process, he became immersed in its unique means of creation.
But, there was another passion that would guide the artist—working with children.
“Much of my life has been spent as a teacher, environmental educator, Life-line/Child-line counsellor, mountain guide, creative facilitator and Au-pair,” Damian shares, adding that being the eldest of 3 young siblings has made working with children feel like second nature.
With these two passions proposing seemingly separate paths, Damian decided to make a third option—merging them.
In 2014, he established his own small NPO and in the last few years upon returning to Joburg, he committed his focus to sharing the art of Origami with inner-city children and communities through his Origami Zoo.
Here, Damian collaborates with a number of existing after-school programs and non-profits including Timbuktu in the Valley. Using Origami and other creative mediums, Damian runs creative workshops that help connect children to new passions and life lessons like patience and simplicity.
Damian reflects that paper is a unique medium because it is accessible to anyone and everyone, regardless of language and, oftentimes, resources.
“It speaks to the idea that hope truly can be found anywhere, in any moment whether it’s a pamphlet in a side road gutter, an old slip in your handbag waiting in the queue after a stressful day or a surprise parking ticket.”
Commenting on what the art means for him personally, Damian shares:
“Origami for me is about creating connection, across all divides and differences, between us and our loved ones, us and our surroundings, us and ourselves.”
He adds, “It has courageously coaxed me outward and connected me with others when I have felt alone and struggled to be in community, it has brought me inward when things have felt like too much…I fold Origami when I am stressed and when I am calm, it brings all the threads of me into the here and now to watch my hands bring something to life from nothing, to create Spring from Winter, death to life and remind me that me and all things are part of this endless cycle.”
You can support his work, here.
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