High Art: Getting Nailed

Molly Surno is a Brooklyn-based photographer who just happens to love nail polish. She also really admires graffiti art. And what do you get when you blend the two: Why nail art of course, the inspiration for her photography project The Smallest Canvas.

Since we are always interested in learning more about beauty-loving cool girls, we caught up with Molly and asked her a few questions about her show, her love of nail polish and—of course—her favorite products.

B&TB: What inspired you to create this show:
Molly: The week I moved to Brooklyn, I noticed that almost every woman had nail art. I was living in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood and was shocked how many salons there were—more than my obsessively look conscious home city of Los Angeles. The things I have seen on people’s tiny fingernails are so expressive: Their national flag, loved-ones names, sunsets, skylines, colors that match their sneakers, whatever.
B&TB: How did you translate this into an art project?
Molly: Brooklyn is so culturally rich and I think this artistic expression among women tends to get overlooked. I see nail art as this feminist form of public art. The body becomes a platform of self-expression, which is why I call the project The Smallest Canvas.
B&TB: Can you tell me more about public art?
Molly: Since the 1970s, the art world has considered murals and graffiti as public art pieces, all of which are primarily dominated by male artists. While there are many female graffiti artists, a more common art form in the projects of New York City is highly decorated, long, intricately designed nails. In a lot of ways nail art is like graffiti. It blends personal expression in an open area. In my show, I’ve melded this form of personal street art and art that is in a gallery. It’s my way of showing that these women who work in salons are artists. It’s such a creative process and the women who get their nails done so intricately are so expressive. My images celebrate this vibrant and alive culture.

B&TB: What are your favorite nail colors?
Molly: I love blues. They are a great platform for other nail colors. White, bright green, silver, gold, pink—they all look so striking on a blue nail.
B&TB: What are your favorite Sephora by OPI Shades?
Molly: I recently learned about the line, but now I have four colors: Mermaid to Order [shimmering deep green-blue], Brightener [a treatment coat], Blue Grotto [deep ocean] and Lagoon-a Beach [shimmering pale blue].
B&TB: What are you favorite non-nail products?
Molly: Bliss The Youth as We Know It Eye Cream ($75), Mane n’ Tail Shampoo (It’s for horses, but leaves my hair so soft), Clarins Extra Firming Day Cream ($78)The Smallest Canvas can be viewed as part of “Nefer/Nfr” show at Capricious Space in Brooklyn or on Molly’s website.–Jenna Mahoney