Samuel Hagai truly wishes to captivate others as a self-taught diverse international artist who puts his heart and soul into every art piece. His biggest purpose is to use the talent he has, share it with the world, and help people turn their dreams into art pieces they never forget. As a graffiti artist, hyper-realist, and surrealist painter whose work can be found in galleries and walls around the world, from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Paris, London, and numerous cities in Israel, Samuel feels his art speaks for itself. Born in Israel in 1982, his path was not always smooth sailing, and Samuel experienced his fair share of the “starving artist” lifestyle. Yet, despite those hardships, he knows those experiences only shaped him into the passionate artist he is today.
His career so far.
While much of his early work earned him nothing and finding success was an uphill battle, Samuel was invited by the American chain of department stores “Macy’s” to create a mural artwork for Christmas in 2017, changing the trajectory of his career. Next, in 2019, he painted four murals in the U.S. Air Force Base in New Jersey. Later in the same year, he set up an independent exhibition in the West Village, New York, where his artwork was displayed in public spaces, galleries, exhibitions and museums, military bases, corporate offices, and institutions of higher education in Israel and in the United States.
How he got started.
Samuel became interested in painting from an early age, teaching himself how to use oil paints on canvas at the age of 12. However, as his passion for painting grew, and it became clear he wished to pursue it as a profession, he was already fighting an uphill battle. Without any degree or funds to fall back on, Samuel had to work hard and use every last dollar he had just to buy materials to create more and more murals. Initially, he took any opportunity to paint and never stopped working hard. Once he started sharing his art with family, friends, neighbors, and eventually local communities in Israel, he received a lot of encouragement and support from people. This helped him get noticed by art collectors, galleries, and followers, first in Israel and soon in many parts of the world.
His future and the passions that drive him.
Samuel truly wishes to captivate others as a self-taught diverse international artist who puts his heart and soul into every art piece. His biggest purpose is to use the talent he has, share it with the world, and help people turn their dreams into art pieces they never forget. The best advice he can give is to feel every project and focus on the smallest details because this is how artwork can turn from just a pretty picture into a breathtaking, unforgettable piece. With his passion driving him forward, Samuel experiences no greater pleasure than spending time painting on canvas or walls, soaking in the final reaction of his customers and followers.
To learn more about Samuel’s art and story, visit his Instagram @Samuel_hagai
