Out of belief in the rights of visually impaired individuals, the plastic artist Timaa Salama embarked on the journey to achieve a long-cherished dream. After months of effort, she succeeded in transforming a popular folk story into a printed book in a special language that enables the blind to read and understand it through touch.

Timaa Salama, a 22-year-old graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Al-Aqsa University in Gaza, conceived the idea for the book while attending an art exhibition in Gaza. She was struck by the sight of a visually impaired girl relying on her companion to describe the exhibited paintings.

From that moment, Timaa resolved to use her brush to grant the blind access to the world of art. She decided to develop a new technique that involves creating three-dimensional paintings that the blind can feel and appreciate, recognizing them as an active and vibrant part of society.

Timaa spends long hours in her studio—sometimes exceeding ten hours daily—printing stories and sculpting illustrations tailored for the blind. Her perseverance bore fruit with the successful production of The Woodcutter and the Tree, a Palestinian folk story that she transformed into a book using Braille.

A correspondent from Al-Mujtama in Gaza met with the young artist to learn more about her creative work for the blind.

Timaa told Al-Mujtama: "I started working on this project two years ago when I was surprised to find that there were no artistic works dedicated to the blind in Gaza. After inquiring with a blind individual, I realized the need for an artistic medium that would enable them to engage with children's stories. That’s when I chose The Woodcutter and the Tree as my starting point."

She added, "The journey began with selecting the story—The Woodcutter and the Tree—which carries a rich folk heritage that deserved to be revived. Then, I started sketching, determining the number of pages, and finally sculpting the illustrations and casting the molds."

Timaa explained that this story can be reproduced in unlimited copies for the blind, unlike some other stories that cannot be replicated. She also emphasized that blind individuals themselves can produce this story by pouring the molds and writing in Braille.

She described the intricate process of producing the story, which ultimately took the form of a twelve-page book.

Detailing the procedure, Timaa demonstrated a tree model made from a lightweight, flexible transparent material, extracted from a plaster mold. She meticulously trims excess material and refines its details with precision scissors before applying light-colored paints that attract the attention of sighted readers as well.

After completing this stage, she cleans the molds used for casting the models, which were made from a material she developed through extensive experimentation. She noted that this material underwent numerous trials and modifications before achieving the desired form.

Timaa emphasized the importance of using lightweight models so that blind individuals—whether children or adults—can easily hold and flip through them.

She pointed out that making the models from solid, heavy materials would be inconvenient for blind readers, so she sought lightweight materials with a distinct texture that were also shatterproof.

The Challenges

Timaa acknowledged that simply considering the production of such a work was a journey filled with challenges. One of the main difficulties was the scarcity of materials after an initial supply was exhausted, forcing her to turn to everyday materials such as clay, modeling clay, and plaster.

Timaa’s Ambition

Timaa affirmed that her ambitions extend beyond this story. She is determined to continue producing more works for the blind and aspires to participate in regional and international exhibitions.

She stated, "Creating this book required the roles of an artist, designer, director, and proofreader. I personally supervised every step, conducting trials and research until I achieved the final product."

Recalling the first time a blind individual read her book, Timaa described it as a moment filled with joy and excitement.

However, she expressed her desire to produce more copies of the book, noting that financial constraints prevent her from reaching a larger audience of blind readers.

Currently, Timaa is working on a new book specifically for the blind, consisting of a single handmade copy crafted from felt fabric. This folk story highlights the role of family support in children's success.

She explained that the book relies on illustrations made from fabric, threads, and colorful beads that protrude from the surface, allowing blind readers to touch and interpret them.

Unlike her previous project, producing multiple copies of this book is highly challenging due to the absence of molds to facilitate the creation of its scenes and details.

Timaa also incorporated various themes into her paintings, some of which revolve around Palestinian heritage. She expressed her belief in the richness and expressiveness of Palestinian traditions, making them an essential foundation for her artistic journey.

Additionally, she addressed the Israeli-imposed blockade on Gaza, particularly the restrictions on the sea, through her artwork depicting the plight of fishermen. Despite the sea's beauty, she portrayed it as a confined space limiting both work and recreation. By blending aesthetics with hardship, she sought to convey this reality to the blind.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Read this Article in Arabic