Muralist Dares to Break Barriers: Meet Leila Youssefi ’18 (CCS Art, L&S Environmental Studies)
A conversation with CCS alumna on art as a communication tool, cultural duality, and synthesis science
In a society divided by cultural attributes and academic disciplines, one artist dares to use her canvas as a narrative bridge. In a recent interview Leila Youssefi '18 (CCS Art, L&S Environmental Studies)—also known as “LvL Up Kid”—shared insights into her artistic evolution, the intersection of art and science, and the impact of cultural duality on her work.
The Muralist’s Journey
Leila began her journey at UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) as an undeclared major before committing to Environmental Studies at the College of Letters and Science (L&S) while practicing art as a hobby. However, painting as a bigger purpose remained at the forefront of her mind, eventually beckoning her to the College of Creative Studies (CCS).
The muralist started her experience at CCS during her fourth year at UCSB, even staying an additional year to further immerse herself in her artistic pursuits. The supportive atmosphere and creative freedom provided by the College was instrumental in her development as an artist and muralist.
“It [CCS] was a place where I was trusted to pursue whatever creative direction I decided to take.”
—Leila Youssefi '18 (CCS Art, L&S Environmental Studies)
After graduating from CCS, Leila tried her hand at various roles, including working for a mural production company. This period of exploration taught her valuable lessons about navigating the realities of the art world and seizing unexpected opportunities. She notes: “never underestimate how far you can go just by knocking on a door.”
LvL Up Kid
Leila’s defining concept was “LvL Up!””—an artistic creation that investigates the ever-dueling dynamics between self-confidence and self-doubt within the mind. The concept blossomed during her time at the College and is brought to life through a series of vibrant paintings. Guided by her experiences as a first-generation Persian-American student, Leila depicts the continuous face-off between a self-assured, optimistic “LvL Up worm” and a pessimistic, self-sabotaging “Imp.” By using these whimsical creatures as representations of opposing mindsets, Leila aspires to remind viewers that despite the challenges they face, it is always in their power to “LvL Up” or keep moving forward.
“As someone who grew up Iranian but also American, I often felt that I was not enough for either side. However, there is freedom in coming from multiple backgrounds, such as the ability to connect with more people and find the commonalities hidden within our perceived differences.”
––Leila Youssefi '18 (CCS Art, L&S Environmental Studies)
An Interdisciplinary Residency
Leila’s artistic endeavors took a compelling turn with a residency at The National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) in 2023 where she delved into the intersection of art, science, and community. The residency provided a unique opportunity to engage with researchers and scientists, translating their work into impactful murals about sustainability, accessibility, and transformation.
According to this NCEAS resident, an art piece is a communication tool capable of highlighting societal issues and transposing cultural boundaries. This inspires the sharing and creation of knowledge across disciplines, crucial in addressing widespread environmental challenges.
“The role of an artist is to take in the facets of our complex world, use their specific lens to filter through the noise, and reflect this viewpoint in their art.”
—Leila Youssefi '18 (CCS Art, L&S Environmental Studies)
In fall 2023, Leila showcased her newly adapted interdisciplinary art style at the NCEAS 2023 Artists in Residence Exhibition. In A Novel Future,
Leila envisions a more sustainable Santa Barbara, intertwining local ocean and mountain scenes with synthesis motifs, guiding viewers through the present into a transformed future. Synthesis science, as explained by the muralist, is based on the principle of mining new information in existing data. Synthesis encourages artists, scientists, ecologists, and community leaders to transcend siloed disciplines and take a more creative approach to finding answers. By translating synthesis visually, the murals not only accelerate the collaboration process between key players, but also help the public understand how such solutions will play out in their communities
“In our multifaceted world, a multi-disciplinary approach is necessary. Synthesis offers an answer to the question of how we can, in balance with nature, move into the future sustainably.”
––Leila Youssefi '18 (CCS Art, L&S Environmental Studies)
A Vision for the Future
Looking to the future, Leila hinted at upcoming projects, including interdisciplinary collaborations that focus on art as a public outreach tool. As she continues to navigate the evolving landscape of art and science, Leila remains dedicated to breaking down barriers and inspiring positive change through her unique artistic lens.
Leila is interested in collaborative projects with others and welcomes inquiries through her website, Instagram page, or via email at leila.youssefi@gmail.com.
Photo credits: Gabriel De La Rosa, Ginger Gillquist, Kortney Pham