With inspirations from around the globe and a studio based in Brooklyn, Maya Hayuk recently collaborated with Sunglass Hut in support of the philanthropic foundation OneSight to design a limited collection of sunglasses. Maya’s aptitude for expression has allowed her to transcend the constraints of a single medium: her artwork spans from photography and painting to sculpture (an installation for the Scope Fair) and collaboration with highly acclaimed musicians. The 150 pairs of Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses that she hand-painted and custom-designed are in total keeping with the colorful and distinctive style that has made her so distinguishable.
WW: How did you decide to become an artist and move to Brooklyn?
Maya Hayuk: I don't think I woke up one day and decided I was an artist any more than I decided what gender I am, but the decision to move to Brooklyn was based on having lived in San Francisco for almost 10 years and finding the change of moving to another thriving place to be very inspiring.
WW: Most artists tend to flourish within one medium. You’ve managed to spread your work across a multitude of mediums inside and outside the studio. How did you attain such an ability to successfully diversify your work as an artist?
MH: Thanks! I am a super craft geek and I really enjoy experimenting with new media and seeing what may come out of the unknown. I feel like everything I do is related and all part of one big, delicious stew, but with distinct ingredients that rely on playing off of each other to create the whole (I am actually cooking as I write this—the food metaphor is from my grumbling stomach). In other words, I am a better painter by being a photographer and I am a better photographer because of my interest in politics, religion, and my love of music.
WW: Regarding your recent collaboration with Sunglass Hut, you seemed to stay true to your reputation of shapes, colors and patterns. What influenced this collection?
MH: I wanted to make something that I would actually wear and enjoy personally and, since my own sense of style is so distinct, I knew this collection would be really unique and fresh. I was able to apply my psychedelic optics to sunglass optics—the partnership made good sense. The imagery itself is related to my love of outer space, custom airbrushed nail art, holograms, madras patterns, hand woven blankets, etc.
WW: How would you compare working with international retailers like Sunglass Hut to working with internationally acclaimed bands like the Beastie Boys, TV on the Radio and Animal Collective? Is that experience anything like conventional gallery exhibitions?
MH: Everyone is wonderful to work with for different reasons, but the one thing musicians, galleries and this project all have in common is that I am working with people who respect me and push me to experiment and play with total creative freedom.
WW: What’s been the most exhilarating project that you’ve worked on? Is there anything specific you feel you haven’t yet achieved, but would like to in the future?
MH: That's tough. The most exhilarating projects have been the largest scale, for the most part. This past February I built a huge sculpture outside of the Lincoln Center for the Scope Fair with my friend, Ben Wolf. We worked insane hours under several feet of snow, wearing so many layers I felt like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and by the end I couldn't remember my own name. It was a super intense challenge that was incredibly satisfying to finish and step back from and watch people interact with. I'm really excited about building entire spaces people can be inside of and hope to make more of this kind of work.
