We are pleased to launch a new series of articles and interviews on our site, dedicated to discovering artists specializing in tufting. Through these publications, we will highlight creators who create unique tufted pieces through their technicality and concept. To inaugurate this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Samia Hilal, an artist whose creativity and passion for tufting transform ordinary objects into unique works of art.
Born on November 24, 1999 in Paris, Samia Hilal has always been passionate about the arts. From a young age, she immersed herself in various artistic fields such as painting, drawing and dance. This exploration naturally led her to pursue artistic studies after high school, obtaining a diploma in Object and Space Design and a Master's degree in Interior Architecture. Today, Samia Hilal specializes in tufting, a technique she has mastered.
Samia discovered gun tufting during her first year of art school. “I was painting large, colourful canvases using different tools, including rollers, which created a rough texture that I loved. It was this exploration of textures that led me to tufting,” she says. She has been perfecting the technique for four years now.
Creation always begins with a drawing. “The design phase is essential for me. I love imagining the universe that will surround each piece,” explains Samia. Then comes the time for action: the tufting itself, followed by meticulous finishing touches such as shearing and sewing the fringes. Despite her love for each step, she admits that applying the glue to the back of the rugs is the least enjoyable.
One of Samia's most original projects is the creation of tufted pieces from reclaimed chairs. "With a friend, we found an abandoned chair on the side of the road and wanted to give it new life. Tufting seemed like an obvious way to transform this furniture," she recalls. Today, Samia continues to create unique pieces from abandoned objects, combining her colorful world with an eco-responsible approach.
For Samia, collaborations with other artists are a continuous source of inspiration. "These exchanges open new perspectives and enrich my work. Each collaboration is an opportunity to grow and meet great people," she explains.
Among her early pieces, the "Thomas" rug is a notable example. Three years later, she created "The Liliputian Fluffy Set", a set of chairs and a table for children. This development shows not only her growing mastery of technique, but also her constant desire to innovate.
The "Thomas" rug
"The Liliputian Fluffy Set"
“Each creation is unique and dear to my heart, but the rug I made for my father, titled ‘Baba’, is particularly meaningful to me,” says Samia. The colors and patterns of this rug have a deep personal meaning, making this project all the more special.
The "Baba" carpet
Samia’s inspirations are as varied as her creations. “The landscapes I’ve seen on my travels, as well as the works of Georgia O’Keeffe and Paul Cox, greatly influence my work,” she explains.
Georgia O'Keeffe and Paul Cox
Staging her pieces on social media is particularly important to Samia. "Staging and photography are almost the most interesting part of my job for me. Most of the time, when I create a piece, it is sold and the only trace I have left is the photography. So I put a lot of heart and importance into it in order to showcase my creation and keep a beautiful memory."
This staging work is crucial not only for her personal archives, but also for the public. "It allows me to make people want to see it and help them project themselves into a universe. In general, when I imagine a piece, I imagine it in a universe, a staging; it's a whole. So, when it comes to the photo stage, it's quite simple and fluid since it's thought out from the creation of the object itself," she adds.
When asked about the rug that took her the longest to make, Samia replied: "The 'The Ants' Dinner' rug probably took the longest to make. Its size and the minute details took me a whole week, from design to finishing."
The ants' dinner
Tufting can be a difficult activity to get started with. Speaking to Samia, she says: “For beginners, I would say: don’t get discouraged by the many steps and have fun. The possibilities are endless, just like drawing or painting,” she advises.
For those wondering what a tufting studio looks like, Samia gives us a glimpse into her workspace. It’s a practical and inspiring place, filled with colours, textures and tools, where she makes all her creations.
Samia Hilal is an artist whose passion for tufting and creativity is evident in every piece. From her early painting days to her most ambitious tufting projects, her journey is truly inspiring. Follow Samia Hilal’s work to discover her upcoming captivating projects.
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