Background/Education
Hi, my name is Zulay Sayalero. Firstly, I would like to say that I feel honoured and humbled to be part of the amazing SCA artists. I am a British-Venezuelan Chemical Engineer. Growing up, I was always very creative, but it slipped away when I went to university. I firmly believe that my passion is rooted in creativity and helping others. My creative journey started 15 years ago by chance after I rediscovered the art of origami
as a patient in the hospital following complications after the birth of my daughter. I later became a volunteer teaching origami and arts and crafts within the NHS.

I believe that difficult experiences have the potential to impact your life and the lives of others positively; they can give you purpose and resilience, and you can create a path for new opportunities. I have a passion for improving life using the power of creativity. I strongly advocate the importance of taking time to be creative for mental well-being, and these days, I prefer
to define myself as a 'Creativity Engineer'.

Medium
My preferred working medium is paper, and one of my areas of expertise
is the Japanese art of folding paper, known as origami. I like experimenting with different materials and textures, colouring the paper with natural inks, and incorporating new techniques into my folded artworks.

Influences
Several origami masters have influenced my love for paper folding, so it will be challenging to pick names; however, I feel that the origami master Akira Yoshizawa has a special place in my heart because
of his views on folding paper.

Regarding designs, I love folding the original origami sequence from Toshikazu Kawasaki for his “Kawasaki Rose” and the great designs of Tomoko Fuse and Makoto Yamaguchi. I also like to create my original origami designs that are less complex and simple for anyone to make,
like the Red Origami Squirrel I designed for the Sefton Borough
of Culture 2020.

Work and Commissions
I work as an Origami Artist and an Arts and Crafts practitioner.
Since 2018, I have been one of the directors of the not-for-profit Origami Pulse CIC, which I co-founded with my dear friend and colleague, Dr Lizzie Burns. I am also an elected charity board member for the British Origami Society (BOS), a charity dedicated to spreading the joy of Origami for over 50 years.

I have facilitated over 1,000 workshops in the public and private
sectors, including some of the most vulnerable in society. I have been commissioned for large-scale projects involving Origami for companies such as Samsung, Yakult UK, and the animal charity The Blue Cross.
I have worked at high-profile events and venues including the Sefton Park Palm House, Tatton Park, Liverpool Museums, Sefton Libraries, and delivered art workshops in Merseyside Community Centres, Care homes, and learning disabilities charities such as Mencap and PSS.

Artist Statement
Above all, I love the feeling of being in the creative process, and I believe
it is great to share it with others through workshops.

As Origami artist Akira Yoshizawa once said, “When you fold, the ritual
and the act of creation are more important than the final result.”

Say Hello
https://www.instagram.com/zulaysayalero/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulay-sayalero/
www.origamipulse.com