Say hai to... Sophia Pega

We've reached our first Sunday in February of 2021, and to commemorate this milestone in the ongoing 'unprecedented times' we  decided to throw you an extra  interview this month! Introducing the uber talented artist and illustrator Sophia Pega. Sophia is Menorcan born and currently residing in the city on the sea, (a city with a special place in Hai hearts) Barcelona. Sophia's work  heavily  references ritualistic and astrological practises associated with ancient civilisations, and she manages to perfectly combine this style of drawing reminiscent of Minoan frescoes with an imperfect and often vividly coloured edge, that  brings  them straight into the 21st century. 

Inspired by Hai's silky treasure trove, Sophia created several  special works for us (one of which is soon to hang on the Hai studio wall), that you have the chance  to wander at in awe below...




Hi Sophia....or should we say Hai!

Hola :)

Can you describe what you do?


Where do you consider home? When do you know you are home? 

Home is my childhood house in the countryside of the island of Menorca, it has a name and it’s written on the barrier wall that separates the main road from the 1km stone road that leads to the cottage. When I cross it I know I’m home.
The day this house disappears I’ll have an identity problem.


Describe how you feel when you are on a creative Hai? (high) 

It gives me faith in life, like there is a meaning for it. It's a punch of energy that you have to take before it goes away, because it always comes in waves. Coffee helps. Periods where creativity doesn’t flow really bother me.



The best, untalked about place in your city? 

My friend’s houses. Nobody talks about them but they are certainly the best places to be <3


How, or where do you go to find inspiration? 

I get inspired both by old memories and recent experiences, I like to document them by drawing or painting ensembles of symbols and objects that represent those moments.
I use photography to source that inspiration, taking pictures of everything that surrounds me in a very quotidian mood.
I try to stay down to earth but I easily float up, so I end up mixing daily objects with dreamy elements and the final picture tends to feel oneiric.


What do you do when no one is watching? 


I waste time staring at the wall or at the ceiling or at the street thinking in an endless loop about whatever is in my mind while listening to electronic music. Most of the time I’m just imagining utopian futures, like how would it be to live by myself faraway in the woods, disconnected, just painting and taking care of the fire and the garden, but also having friends over from time to time, we would make huge parties. I’m not realistic at all, I hate & love it.


What's the feeling fashion gives you?

I like the storytelling that flows from it, about people. Sometimes I fantasise about everybody still being like kids when choosing how to dress up, how funny and authentic would that be?


Where are you going to take your Hai next?

I’m going on a date of course. And I’m also taking it with me the next time I go home, I think it is the perfect size to collect eggs.


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