Art is a way we can all connect and find joy. It often brings out emotions that are hard to put into words, helping us communicate them without speaking. With its vibrant colors and emotional brushstrokes, it’s easy to see why someone would want to dedicate their life to creating art that brings happiness and inspiration to others.
Samuel Hagai, a well-known Israeli artist, has done just that. Entirely self-taught, Hagai creates incredibly realistic artwork that turns dreams into reality with striking images on both canvas and walls. He excels in graffiti, hyper-realism, and surrealism, and his art can be seen in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Paris, London, and various locations across Israel. Born in Israel in 1982, Hagai’s artistic talent showed early on. He started teaching himself to paint with oils on canvas at age 12 and later embraced street culture, painting as a graffiti artist. His passion turned into a profession, gaining him international recognition.
In 2017, Macy’s invited Hagai to create a mural for their Christmas display. By 2019, he painted murals at a US Air Force Base in New Jersey and held an independent exhibition in New York’s West Village. His artwork has since become more sought after, featuring in public spaces, galleries, exhibitions, museums, corporate offices, military bases, and higher education institutions worldwide. Hagai believes art should go beyond simple aesthetics, using it as a means to express his heart and soul in each piece, aiming to make people happy by turning their dreams into reality with each brush stroke.
He finds immense joy in working on canvases and mural art and values the reactions of his clients and followers. Despite being self-taught without formal degrees or significant funds, his passion, persistence, and hard work have driven his success. He recounts pushing through tough days and financial hardships by continuing to work on projects, even without profit, to keep doing what he loves. Initially, he shared his work with family, friends, neighbors, and local communities in Israel, receiving support and encouragement that eventually led to recognition by art collectors and galleries worldwide.
For aspiring artists, Hagai advises to deeply feel each project and pay attention to the smallest details, emphasizing that this approach can turn a simple artwork into something truly unforgettable.