“A Day in the Life” with: Visual Artist Hayat Najm

June 24, 2026 Jocelyne Sobie Arts, Visual Arts

Hayat Najm has always had a fascination for images. For as long as she can remember, well before emigrating to Quebec at age five, drawing has been part of her. It’s her preferred medium, her great fortune. She would draw what she saw – what she felt, especially – and, once she began college, decided to devote herself seriously to it. Armed with her diploma, she continued her journey with images by doing a bachelor’s degree in visual arts at Université du Québec à Montréal, where she acquainted herself with other media, including painting, printmaking and video. She then completed a master’s in print media at Concordia University, reacquainting herself with drawing in her practice, which primarily used a mix of charcoal and collage. She showed her work at Galerie d’Este for two years, then spent a year in Beirut teaching visual arts at various schools. A few years later, she joined the National Film Board of Canada with a specific idea in mind: to make her first animated film and see her drawings come to life, her images metamorphosing one into the next. That film, The Sound of Things Ablaze, was well received by critics and audiences alike. It was shown at festivals in Greece, Cyprus, Portugal and the United States, and won the Best Animation Award at the New York City Short Film Festival.

-Written by Daoud Najm, Hayat’s brother

Hayat Najm
At a screening and talk at the National Film Board of Canada, with the producers of my film, Marc Bertrand and Christine Noël, who so steadfastly guided me at every step of this journey. The evening included a special meeting with the pianist Jean-Michel Blais, who composed the score for the film – a precious moment of dialogue between images and music.
Hayat Najm
What I love about drawing is that you can take it with you anywhere. Here, I was working on a tracking shot of a carpet: approximately 120 drawings made in Miami, in between breaks out in the sunshine.
My boyfriend and I converted the garage in our home into a studio so that I could work there year-round. This is where doubts and magic coexist. It’s a space where my ideas take shape and where drawing becomes an eternal possibility.
The boulevard leading to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where The Sound of Things Ablaze was an official selection.
Seeing my film screened outdoors in Quebec City’s Place D’Youville was a singular experience. Surrounded by the historical architecture of the nearby buildings, it took on another dimension.
On the patio adjoining my studio, I planted an olive tree. Embodying my love of plants, it is symbolic for me: with a lot of care and love, olive trees can thrive, even in Montreal! This tree is a witness to the passing of years. The statue, titled Alfonso, is its guardian.
Hayat Najm
Creation is part of my everyday. Quebec’s skies are sometimes a drawing board for me – a space for imagining, creating and animating images. This view is of the sky on the way to a summer cottage in Magog, in Quebec’s Eastern Townships.
Hayat Najm
This greeting card collection comes from an entirely hand-drawn series of illustrations. I start by sketching each image, after which I paint over it in watercolour, superimposing layers that create subtle nuances.

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Which ’hood are you in?

I live in the Montreal district of Villeray, which is home to a large community of artists. It’s a neighbourhood that’s inspiring to me, and that I deeply love, for its green trees and its urban vibe.

What do you do?

I’m a visual artist and an animator. Drawing is the constant basis for my work as an artist; it’s the throughline of my practice. Whether I work in charcoal or watercolours – even if those two media involve different techniques – I always draw directly on paper. I like that it’s tangible, gestural, and gives you the freedom to work from anywhere.

What are you currently working on?

At the moment, I have two parallel projects. I’m in the exploratory phase of a new animated film: I will be doing an artist residency this spring at La Bande Vidéo, in Quebec City, to develop my concept for it. The theme of women and resilience remains at the core of my work as a filmmaker.

At the same time, I’m developing a stationery brand, Poegraphia. My illustration work can be found on greeting cards, available at Bref Mtl, Boutique Buk & Nola and Le Palais Bulles in Montreal, among other places.

Where can we find your work?

My film, The Sound of Things Ablaze, has been on the festival circuit. Streaming online on the NFB platform all across Canada for free here.

My film work can also be seen via Instagram. My stationery art is available online at poegraphia.com.

 

About Jocelyne Sobie 10 Articles
Jocelyne loves street art photography, traveling, discovering different cultures, and trying foods she can barely pronounce. Spirituality and giving back matter deeply to her, leading her to volunteer both locally and abroad, experiences she will never forget. She’s drawn to books and documentaries that explore how society works and how people think, especially real-life stories that don’t always make the headlines. That curiosity led her to this work, where she creates space for creative, hardworking people to share their stories and inspire others.

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