We had the good fortune of connecting with Ryan Sarfati and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Growing up doing graffiti in Los Angeles, risk taking has always been apart of my life. I painted in the streets for 20yrs before I ever started thinking of art as a career. To this day I continue to push the boundaries in everything I do and with that comes risk. In 2019 my business partner and I painted a world record mural in Columbus OH, standing 11 stories high and spanning 11,000sq ft. This was and still is one of the largest Augmented Reality murals in the world. Before us Augmenting a mural had never really been done before and definitely not at this scale. Honestly we didn’t even know if it was truly possible. We put everything we had into this project and took a leap of faith. We ended up creating something truly magical, shepherding a new way to think of how we approach public art on a large scale. .

Without risk, there is no reward.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started painting graffiti in the streets of Los Angeles in the 90’s, at no point was I ever under the impression that this could be a career. The thought of being a professional artist using a spray can was unheard of when I was a kid. I never went to art school and had little to no mentoring when it came to art. I was a single Dad for 9yrs raising two children on my own. Working steadily in other fields of work never realizing my true potential as an artist. I started slowly stepping out of my comfort zone about five years ago working side jobs for my friends mural company. Quickly realizing that if I slowed down and focused I could possibly make a career out of it. Four years ago I connected with My Friend and now business partner Eric “Zoueh” Skotnes to start working on art full time as a duo called “Yanoe x Zoueh”. Since that day we have executed over $2 million in public art projects, traveling the world and doing art on a scale very few have ever accomplished.

Today I strive to find a balance in my life and art. It has become a tool of service, allowing me to bring joy and happiness to communities that are underserved. While simultaneously helping myself to reflect on life, actions, decisions, relationships, beliefs, and thoughts through self-expression.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite places in Los Angeles are Los Feliz/Echo park/Silverlake because of the amazing food and Shops. The other place I love taking people is the LA arts district because of the immense amount of art from local and international artists. Lastly would be our beaches and specifically Venice for its unique vibe and historical iconic visuals.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To my beautiful Katy O, from the day you walked into my life it changed forever. You have been my biggest supporter and my greatest inspiration. The world is lucky to have you… 444

Website: https://www.ohyanoe.com/

Instagram: @Oh_Yanoe

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ryan-yanoe-sarfati-7b3503171

Twitter: @ohyanoe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohyanoe

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yanoe4700/featured

Other: www.yanoexzoueh.com

Image Credits
Photo credit: Yanoe x Zoueh

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