An artist & disability rights activist, Jesfer breaks all barriers to the road to success

34 year old Jesfer P was diagnosed with muscular atrophy at a young age. Today, he is Kerala’s one of the most popular ‘mouth painting artists’ who has made his mark in the art field. He has held many national and international exhibitions and has many accolades to his credit. Jesfer, who is a part of ‘Green Palliative’ is also a disability rights activist who is vocal about accessibility problems in Kerala.

34 year old Jesfer P was diagnosed with muscular atrophy during early childhood. A born artist, Jesfer’s tryst with paints and brushes began at a young age. Today, he is one of Kerala’s most popular mouth painting artist who has won many accolades for his beautiful art works. Jesfer, who hails from Malappuram in Kerala talks about his incredible journey with art.

Jesfer remembers that he was an art enthusiast from childhood and used to try and paint with his hands. He started training himself from primary school, and paintings were a hobby that he loved pursuing. But in due course of time, Jesfer realised that art and paintings are his true calling. As years passed by, he decided to build a career with his passion.

By the age of 15 years, my disability had started affecting me physically a lot. I couldn’t even write or paint. I had tried writing with my mouth and soon started doing paintings using my mouth-Jesfer P, Mouth Painting Artist.

Even though Jesfer completed his class 12, he couldn’t pursue his higher studies owing to mobility issues. So now he is gearing up to complete his degree studies with the support of his wife and young son.

Jesfer has conducted exhibitions across the globe. Last year, his exhibition at Dubai was a grand success. His next one is at Bengaluru for the India Inclusive event. Out of the 90 applications, eight works have been selected and Jesfer is thrilled.

Jesfer has won many state and national awards for his remarkable works. Jesfer’s beautiful art works have been printed in mugs, greeting cards, pen holders, key chains are art calendars. His works have added more grandeur to the walls of corporate companies across India. His painting was selected as the cover design for Nestle India’s festive creations chocolates in the year 2017. Jesfer says that the biggest project of his career was creating a 15 square feet oil painting on canvas of the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and the ruler of Dubai.

In the year 2005, Jesfer recollects meeting former Indian president late APJ Abdul Kalam during his visit to Kozhikode. Jesfer was studying in class 10 during that time. After reading Kalam’s ‘Dreams of Fire’, Jesfer was inspired and motivated. Kalam gave a speech on how every child must chase their dreams and work hard for it, after which Jesfer gifted Kalam a portrait of him. “After looking at the portrait, he told the thousands of kids gathered there that I’am the example of what he was talking about. Even today, after so many years, I believe that is the biggest gift and appreciation I have received”, he says.

Jesfer has many projects in the pipeline and he has his hands full. Apart from working on his art, Jesfer is a disability rights activist who is vocal about accessibility problems. “I have struggled a lot. But I know whatever happens, there is a positive solution for everything. Find your inner light”, says Jesfer.

Jomy Joseph, a disability rights activist from Kerala has closely associated with Jesfer for many projects including the Green Palliative’s Wheelchair Friendly Kerala campaign. He says, “What I noticed about Jesfer is his positivity. He has always come to the forefront to raise concerns and problems about accessibility. Now, he is getting a lot of platforms to showcase his art works which is great”.

You can contact Jesfer at +91 99959- 62963.

Also Read: Disability is no barrier for Sunitha, who creates amazing paintings with her mouth