Nayla Saroufim: My Style is Inspired by Pop Art & Different Cultures

Basing her work on connecting material with form and imagery to tell a certain story, Lebanese artist Nayla Kai Saroufim has been able to reach global reputation. Through her art, she always aims to transform raw materials like steel, copper and resin into poetic and thought-provoking pieces. Nayla’s creations have visited different corners of the world, offering her the opportunity to mark astonishing milestones. The Lebanese artist’s latest exhibition “Colors in Transition” was a collaboration with New York-based Interior Designer Ashley Stark.

Keep reading the interview for more details.

What prompted you to join the college of Fine Arts?

I have made art since I was a child and could never really stop, I was always attracted by colors and illustrations. I used to draw on the walls of my room when I was a kid.

We know that you currently work between Beirut and Los Angeles. Why did you choose LA?

LA is a place very dear to my heart. Although it is far from Beirut, it has the same energy and vibes. We decided to move to LA because of family reasons. We have three teenagers who will soon join university.

What makes your creations unique?

The process of creating a piece has many stages. Sometimes I feel, being an artist I have to play different roles depending on the process. Working with raw materials like steel, copper and resin is very physical and intense. It requires me to be active and engaged. I connect the material with form and imagery to tell a story.

What made you choose working with steel, copper, wood, and other elements? And how were you able to transform these harsh materials into art pieces?

Since 2013, I started to focus on metal works, crafting installations, using layers of steel, copper, and various other elements. Through my art, I aim at transforming these materials into poetic and thought-provoking pieces. I mix forms of art and life with emotional pieces, representing family love, childhood dreams, birds’ freedom…

We noticed that all your creations are filled with colors and vitality. How can you explain this choice?

My style is a blend of mixed media, ranging from abstract to realistic, and often inspired by pop art and different cultures. My technique is personalized and distinctive, with a focus on spreading positivity and happiness. As a younger artist, I thought my art was about communicating my ideas. I don’t see it that way anymore. Hopefully, through that process something interesting happens. If my pieces allow a viewer to have some creative or imaginative experience, then I estimate that my goal is reached.

Tell us more about your past exhibitions that took place in different corners of the world.

My work has travelled the walls of galleries across the world, and is currently featured in Los Angeles, New York, Seoul, London, Paris, Madrid, Doha and Dubai.

How would you describe your upcoming “Colors in Transition” exhibition? What makes it special?

"Colors in Transition" is an exhibition that takes the viewer on a journey through the different stages of life. Through a collection of installations, the exhibition explores the complexity and beauty of human experiences, from the reckless playfulness of childhood to the pursuit of happiness and purpose in adulthood. Each phase is represented by a unique theme, capturing the emotions and struggles that accompany these transitions. “Colors in Transition” offers a thought-provoking exploration of the different stages of life and the experiences that shape us as individual.

You mentioned that “Colors in Transition” reflects the complexity and beauty of human experiences. How were you able to achieve this?

I was always attracted by people’s stories and relationships. I like to explore the richness and complexity of human relationships. Through a rainbow of colors, my pieces capture the joy and beauty that relationships bring into our lives, as well as the challenges and struggles that come with them.

If you were to choose two or three creations from your newest exhibition, what would they be? And why?

Twirls of colors is my latest creation for my exhibition. It’s a serie of 12 big scale pieces reflecting the richness and complexity of human relationships. Through a rainbow of colors, these pieces capture the joy and beauty that relationships bring into our lives, as well as the challenges and struggles that come with them. The twirl celebrates the depth of each connection, from depictions of motherhood and siblinghood to explorations of couples and friendships.

Another existing project in this exhibition is my collaboration with Ashley Stark, a talented interior designer based in New York. We'd met in New York few months ago and had worked on a new piece called “OMG!” that launched on June 1st.