Meet Saylessi Savant | Artist, poet, fellow life participant

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

Hi Saylessi, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
One example of how I came up with the Saylessi Savant brand emerged during my recovery from drug and alcohol abuse, when I began to use art as a tool for healing and self-discovery. “Saylessi” stems from the idea of saying less and listening more—to yourself, to your inner voice, to the deeper truths often drowned out by noise. “Savant” reflects the mastery I was cultivating in art, poetry, and emotional resilience. But the brand isn’t just about me , but it’s designed to help others find their own voice, clarify their vision, and reconnect with a sense of purpose. Whether through visual art, poetry, or performance, Saylessi Savant is a reminder that there’s brilliance in quiet reflection, power in authenticity, and freedom in creative expression.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is born at the intersection of healing and confrontation. I create socially engaged conceptual pieces, abstract mandalas, and performance art that demands participation, reflection, and sometimes discomfort. I use everything from gummy bears to pharmaceutical bottles, poetry to performance, because the materials matter just as much as the message. What sets me apart is my ability to merge beauty with brutal honesty—offering viewers both a mirror and a medicine.

I’m most proud of the fact that my art talks back. Whether it’s a canvas filled with prison-issued peanut butter packets or a live performance that forces you to decide if I’m art or not, everything I create is rooted in the belief that art should provoke something real. I don’t want to just be looked at—I want to be felt.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I battled addiction, depression, and the consequences of choices made in survival mode. But it was in that darkness that I found my vision. I began creating in confined spaces, literally. My eye for detail was sharpened in places most would ignore. I taught myself to translate pain into purpose, to use silence as strategy, and to turn the weight of my past into fuel for something greater.

The lessons? First—consistency outruns inspiration. Second—your story is your superpower, even when it’s messy. Third—impact means more than likes. I had to learn not to chase recognition but to focus on resonance.

What I want the world to know is that Saylessi Savant is not just an artist—it’s a movement. A brand rooted in vulnerability, resilience, and social consciousness. Whether it’s through Mindbloom abstract visuals or my street activations like Bounce Back and Diet, I’m here to wake people up. My story isn’t just about personal transformation—it’s an invitation for others to look within, speak their truth, and reclaim their power.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was coming to visit LA for a week, I wouldn’t just give them a tour—I’d give them a journey. A curated experience that hits the soul, sparks the senses, and leaves them a little more expanded than when they landed.

Day 1 – Aesthetic Arrival
We’d start at the Getty Museum, no question. That’s my sanctuary—where art, architecture, and silence meet. We’d walk the gardens, let the city fade out, and soak up the kind of beauty that doesn’t scream but still shakes you.

Day 2 – Culture & Canvas
We’d head to The Broad downtown and catch a walking loop through the DTLA Arts District. I’d show them some underground murals, visit Hauser & Wirth, and grab lunch at Manuela, where the art and food are both worth tasting. That night we’d chill at Verve Coffee, where creatives gather like moths to light.

Day 3 – Soul & Sand
Venice Beach for the flavor. Not just the boardwalk—the alleys, the murals, the offbeat performers. I’d take them to Erewhon for a bougie snack, but then hit Baby Blues BBQ to ground it with some messy ribs and real talk. Sunset at El Matador Beach in Malibu, because some things still humble you.

Day 4 – Food, Faith, and Freestyles
Brunch at Post & Beam in Baldwin Hills—Black-owned, soul-filled. Then we’d hit Leimert Park, soak in drums, vendors, and raw cultural pride. At night, maybe an open mic at Da Poetry Lounge, where the city’s heartbeat rhymes in metaphors.

Day 5 – Urban Wildness
A hike up to Wisdom Tree or Runyon Canyon, depending on our mood. Then cool down at Highland Park Bowl—old-school vibes with craft cocktails and vintage lanes. Dinner at Gracias Madre for something plant-based and poetic.

Day 6 – Community & Conversation
We’d visit Prosperity Market or pop-up Black flea markets—support local creators, meet folks with purpose. I’d also take them to any art event I’m vending or performing at—that’s where the city breathes for me. Later, swing by The Love Song Bar or The Virgil for intimate vibes and eclectic energy.

Day 7 – Reflection & Recharge
Wrap it up with tea and a poetry journal session at Early Grey Tea House, where I’ve done workshops and shows. Just us, good words, and a final toast to the week—gratitude heavy, spirit light.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Big shout out from Saylessi Savant to everyone who’s played a part in this unfolding journey—your presence has helped shape every stroke, word, and intention behind my work. Deep thanks to Jenn Roberts for opening the doors to my very first art show—your space gave my vision room to breathe. To the Anansi Writers Workshop, thank you for sharpening my poetic voice and offering a true sense of community where expression felt both sacred and supported. To my Queen—your unwavering love, strength, and encouragement through every storm has been an undeniable pillar in my life. To my brothers, the ones I’ve weathered the darkest seasons with—our shared struggles built an unbreakable bond that I carry with me in every step forward. And to the Supreme Architect—my Creator—the source of breath, movement, and inspiration: without You, there is no me. We are no thing unless we are felt and seen. This journey is stitched together by grace, grit, and the people who kept me grounded. I’m grateful, always—and this is still only the beginning.

Instagram: @Saylessisavant1

Other: Saylessisavant@gmail.com

Image Credits
By Saylessi Savant