Interview
Nina Graffe
Nina Graffe is a Nashville-based contemporary artist and software architect who specializes in large-scale, textural works and biologically aware digital ecosystems. Originally from Latin America, her work is a testament to the power of transformation and the 'Language of Energy.' After transitioning from Fashion Design to Fine Arts during the pandemic, Nina realized that art’s ultimate purpose is connection. Today, she is the founder of Aezae Corp, where she is building 'ZAE' the world's first 'Thrive-to-Earn' health ecosystem, where connection is not a feature. It’s the foundation.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was raised in Latin America, where the vibrant energy and resilience of the culture became my primary inspiration. I watched my mother, a self-taught artist and clothing designer, bring canvases and fabrics to life. This experience led me to painting and to my first career in Fashion Design, where I spent years mastering the discipline of structural beauty and how to design for the human form. My true transition into Fine Arts was sparked by a period of profound global and personal uncertainty during the pandemic. What first seemed like a time of chaos became an opportunity for transformation. I turned to painting, not just as an artistic pursuit but as a way to document my personal growth. Each brushstroke became an expression of resilience, self-discovery, and raw emotion. But as I created these large-scale canvases, I had a realization that changed everything: physical art, while powerful, has a limited reach. If my mission was truly to foster human connection and resilience, I needed to build something that could scale beyond the gallery wall. This was the moment I bridged the gap between fine art and systems architecture. I began to see software as the ultimate creative medium; a way to code the ‘energy’ of art into a digital ecosystem that rewards growth and connection.”
What inspires you?
“I am inspired by the concept of transformation; the moment chaos becomes clarity. I am fascinated by the ‘unseen energy’ that connects every living being and experience. My inspiration often comes from the pulse of urban life, the resilience of the human spirit in adversity, and the mathematical beauty found in natural systems. I don't just look at a landscape; I look for the underlying logic and the emotional vibration it carries. This curiosity is what drives me to move between a physical canvas and a digital one; I am truly inspired by the challenge of making the intangible feel tangible.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The core theme of my work is Connection. In a world full of noise, especially digital noise, we are often more isolated than ever. My work explores the process of turning raw emotion into a shared experience. The underlying message is one of Resilience: that even in the midst of chaos; as during the pandemic, we have the internal design to rebuild ourselves and transcend. Whether I am layering paint or coding, the message is that ‘Art is not just about creation; it is about connection.’ We are all designed to thrive, not just survive.”
How would you describe your work?
“I describe my work as The Language of Energy. Visually, it is defined by rich, three-dimensional textures and a palette of warm yellows and vibrant golden hues; colors that represent clarity and optimism. Structurally, my work is a fusion of fine art and systems design. I create multisensory experiences that invite the viewer to do more than just look; I want them to feel, connect, and eventually, through my digital work, use that energy to improve their own lives. It is a bridge between the precision of a designer and the intuition of a painter.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I am deeply influenced by artists who challenged the boundaries of their medium. Mark Rothko’s use of color to evoke pure emotion is a foundational influence on my palette. I am also inspired by the structural innovation of Zaha Hadid and Santiago Calatrava; how they significantly impacted their field with that unique blend of art and architecture, and the social-technological experiments of the Bauhaus movement, which proved that design must serve a higher social purpose. These influences led me to believe that an artist's 'medium' can be anything, paint, fabric, or even a line of code.”
What is your creative process like?
“My process is a blend of intuition and design. When I paint, I start with ‘chaos,’ applying raw layers of mixed media. I then refine it until clarity emerges. I apply this exact methodology to software engineering. I identify a problem or a need, then layer technical solutions and user-centric design until I have built a valuable and structured ecosystem like Zae.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Traditionally, the artist’s role was to reflect reality. Today, I believe our role is to design a better reality. In an era of AI and tech-fatigue, the artist must become a ‘Strategic Asset’ who ensures that technology remains human-centric. I see the artist’s role evolving from a solo creator to a systems designer; someone who uses their creative vision to solve societal problems, like public health or social isolation. We are the alchemists, we are the ones who can transform anything that's given to us, anything that we touch, into a warm, healing experience.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“While I have been honored with invitations to several noteworthy local and international exhibitions recently, I have made the strategic decision to prioritize my current work, which is developing ‘Zae;’ a wellness ecosystem in a mobile app. For me, being an artist is a lifelong identity, but being a founder requires a season of intense, focused energy. I view this development as my most significant ‘exhibition’ to date. It is a living, breathing work of systems-design that applies my artistic theories on energy and connection to the very real crisis of U.S. public health. I am currently pouring my creative pulse into the code and architecture of this ecosystem to ensure its successful launch. I know that once this digital 'canvas' is established and serving the community, I will return to my large-scale physical paintings with a deeper perspective. For now, my art is the technology I am building; I am simply using a different set of tools to achieve the same mission of transformation and connection.”
