About The Artist

General:

Born in 1987 in the city of Tripoli, Lebanon.

Education:

-B.S. in Graphic Design from the Lebanese American University — Beirut

-M.A. in Marketing Communications from the University of Westminster — London

Career:

Worked with the United Nations until she quite her job to become a fulltime artist

Highlights:

Hayat is most well-known for her street art during the Lebanese Revolution.

Some of her artworks are:

-The Phoenix of the Revolution — built from the debris of the burnt and broken tents that were destroyed by pro-government supporters

-Several graffiti:

Selmiyeh — on the role of women in keeping the Lebanese revolution of 17th October peaceful
Phoenix — rising from the ashes of the forest fires that broke out in Lebanon on the 13th of October of 2019
Mish Selmiye — a tribute to the protestors who lost their eyes due to rubber bullets shot by the police — amongst several others

-Saucepans Tree — a reinterpretation of the Lebanese people’s family tree, raising awareness against sectarianism. It is made out of people’s saucepans and decorated with their names and regions.

-The Heart of the Revolution — made from tear gas canisters collected during the protests, stones that the protestors used, razor wire in reference to the siege surrounding the Lebanese parliament, and the Grand Serail, as well as a metal base alluding to the check points of the Lebanese army that are scattered around Beirut.

biography

Before the art

Prior to attaining visibility as an artist, Hayat had long been active within the sociopolitical scene in Lebanon. Nazer spent much of her teenage years volunteering in underprivileged neighborhoods in Lebanon's North. Hayat commenced her academic career studying graphic design in Beirut, and later pursued a master's degree in Media & Communications in London. Afterwards, Hayat moved on to working with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), as well as the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Nazer also represented Lebanon in New York, Beijing, and Ankara throughout her assignment at the Ministry of Social Affairs, working on the Syrian Refugee dossier.

Feeling restrained, and unfulfilled throughout her governmental post, Nazer resigned, embarking on a journey as a full-time artist, in order to realize her conceptions, and make a bigger impact.

Artist's line of work

Through her multi-layered artistic endeavors, Nazer attempts to tackle several seemingly separate, yet interconnected matters at once. The underlying propeller of Hayat's creative process is often humanitarian at core. Hayat's solo work is substantially derived from her personal dreams and visions. The artist also engages in participatory projects, tackling current matters of national concern in Lebanon. ln conceiving a common collaborative artistic goal among otherwise unacquainted individuals, the artist activates a team-oriented dynamic, thus realizing a sense of cross-societal integration—including that of marginalized individuals. In doing so, the artist musters an inclusive, coherent, and purposeful enterprise among collaborators.

Furthermore, Nazer predominantly sources her sculptural pieces from discarded materials, raising awareness about environmental issues, such as unconscious consumerism, solid waste pollution, up-cycling, and waste management.

Future aspirations

The artist intends to continue effecting change through art, and is currently developing projects in order to expand her outreach, and her capacity to make a difference. Nazer's present focus remains on social integration, livelihoods, and freedom of expression, while promoting art therapy, upcycling and waste management.

Mission

My mission is to make positive change in the world through art by inspiring as many people as possible to overhaul the current political system in Lebanon, and to fight for people’s rights and freedoms; for equality and basic human needs. On a personal level, I wish to encourage people to follow their dreams, do good, help others, love themselves, and make peace.