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Instagram algorithm may have already pushed one of Shira Barzilay (a.k.a. KOKETIT) minimalist illustrations into your feed: outlines of a woman’s face or body laid over a photograph. At first glance, these drawings seem so simple, but they catch your eye and hold your attention. Shira has an incredibly rich imagination and a poetic perception of the world.
The talent of the young Israeli artist has also been praised by such major international magazines as Vogue Portugal, GQ Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, and Forbes. Shira has collaborated with brands Scotch and Soda, Net-A-Porter, and also she launched a sleepwear collection with ZARA last year.
Shira, what does the name KOKETIT mean? And how does it relate to your art?
Koketit – the Hebrew way of saying coquettish. It means flirty. I related to me as that in my creations, I find myself flirting with ideas. It’s an uplifting, positively light and optimistic way of looking at the world.
Can you tell me about your path to being an artist?
I’ve been drawing ever since I can remember myself. When I was 16 I declared to my parents that I wanted to be the next Versace. I got into fashion school college at age 17 and got my bachelor’s degree – on the path to realizing my dream. The reality was that I did not enjoy the process of making clothes and was very miserable. I decided to pack my things and fly to L.A and search for my fate. When I was there I fell in love with fashion illustration and decided to become an illustrator.
Over the next ten years I worked freelance with Roberto Cavalli, H&M, and many other clients – creating extravagant illustrations but didn’t flame the passions of my heart. I was seeking something more. During that time, I started a business designing temporary tattoos and selling them on koketit.com. Again I felt that I was not satisfied and was yearning for a deeper creative approach.
Meanwhile, as I was soul searching to accurate my style – I discovered the minimalistic approach and adopted it into my work. As a consequence,I turned my instagram into a concept feed – where I’d add drawings over images that inspired me – calling it – the world is my canvas, and the feed became very popular. It was only when I reached hundreds of thousands of followers did I realize that I was making art that I can sell. So I turned my tattoo shop into an artshop and began to sell my art. Thanks to the IG feed, my work attracts the likes of fashion and lifestyle brands and I get to collaborate on exciting projects.
Your one-line drawings became an inspiration for designers and brands. Which project have you been the most proud of?
I love all the collaborations but I think the ZARA collab created the biggest ripple effect till date. The brand is so beloved worldwide so to be associated with them has been a real honour. Usually, big brands create versions of art for the masses, and Zara chose not to do that with me – they came straight to the source.
The collection was a culmination of my aesthetic philosophy, executed to perfection with the best fabrics and patterns possible. It was sold online in 80 countries worldwide – and to me that is the biggest accomplishment. I could not be prouder.
You have many fans of your work and some of them imitate your style. How do you feel about this? And have you ever had a case of infringement of your copyrights?
I have been contemplating this issue for quite some time and eventually came to a very zen conclusion. When you are good – you inspire people and more often than none – that inspiration comes in the form of imitation. This is the way of the world.
My attitude is that if my fans are imitating me – then it’s time for me to evolve onto new things.
Do you think that seeing the faces in tree branches, the line of a woman’s body in a landscape is an ability of creative people with a vivid imagination or an observation that can be developed?
What do you wish to communicate through your art?
Your drawings, as well as the text in your posts, are so philosophically poetic. Do you like poetry?
Paul Klee said «A line is a dot that went for a walk». What will you do if one day your dot stops?
Are people’s fates decided for them or do we make our own fate?
Do you have plans to enter the NFT world? Or any other exciting projects coming up?
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