All Posts

Art patronage history  has never been driven by safety or consensus. Many of the artists now regarded as essential to cultural memory were once controversial, difficult, or widely misunderstood. Throughout history, it has been the willingness of patrons to support radical ideas that determined which works survived long enough to shape the canon. Patronage has always functioned as a form of cultural authorship. The Sainsbury family’s support of Francis Bacon illustrates how ar

The contemporary family portrait  reflects more than lineage or resemblance. It captures how identity, relationships, and values are shaped by the cultural conditions of its time. While traditional family portraits emphasized likeness and hierarchy, contemporary approaches explore symbolism, collaboration, and context as equally meaningful elements. In this project, the contemporary family portrait  becomes a shared construction rather than a fixed image. Clothing, objects, e

The idea of universal beauty in contemporary art  is not formed in isolation. It develops through conversations between artists, curators, writers, and platforms that question how aesthetics are shaped by culture and technology. Dialogues like this one create space to examine how beauty is defined, challenged, and reimagined in a rapidly changing visual landscape. As digital tools and platforms influence how images circulate, discussions around universal beauty in contemporar

Commissioned art history  is not a relic of the past. It is one of the primary ways culture has decided what deserves to last. From royal portraits to contemporary digital works, commissions have consistently shaped how societies record power, identity, and memory. Rather than limiting artists, commissioning has often given them the resources and context needed to produce work that defines an era. Throughout commissioned art history , patrons have played a crucial role in all

The concept of universal beauty  suggests that there is a single aesthetic standard shared across cultures, histories, and identities. Yet beauty has always been shaped by shifting forces such as technology, power, and cultural influence. What one society views as ideal may carry completely different meaning elsewhere. The idea of universal beauty  becomes even more complicated in the age of algorithms, where digital tools repeat and amplify narrow visual patterns that flatte

The tradition of commissioned art  has defined cultural history for centuries, from aristocratic portraits to groundbreaking contemporary works. Today, that legacy continues in new forms. This project extends the lineage of commissioned portraiture while engaging directly with the influence of AI on identity. Although AI alters the face and body by smoothing, beautifying, and standardizing features, it leaves the meaningful elements untouched. Clothing, objects, jewelry, anim

Throughout history, commissioned art  has played a defining role in shaping how societies see themselves and how future generations understand the past. From royal portraits to civic monuments, the partnership between artist and patron has influenced what becomes iconic, what is preserved, and what stories are elevated. Rather than limiting creativity, commissioned art  often expands it by placing artists inside moments of political, cultural, or personal significance. In con

Inclusive art is reshaping how beauty is understood and experienced. Instead of relying on narrow ideals, contemporary artists are embracing authenticity, representation, and the reality of diverse bodies. This shift highlights how inclusive art  creates space for people to feel seen and valued in their own skin. When art reflects real textures, identities, and lived experiences, it becomes more emotionally resonant and culturally relevant. Gretchen Andrew’s work emphasizes h

The power of imperfection  has become a defining force in contemporary and conceptual art. Rather than viewing flaws as problems to fix, artists are treating imperfection as a source of creative energy. It opens space for experimentation, emotional honesty, and unexpected meaning. When the work is allowed to remain unpolished, new ideas emerge that would never appear inside a rigid search for perfection. Gretchen Andrew’s practice illustrates how the power of imperfection  su

“Follow if you’re tired of algorithms telling you what beauty looks like.” This sentiment sits at the heart of the Facetune Portraits . Portraiture was once a deeply human act — a collaboration between sitter and artist, an attempt to understand individuality and record identity. A look at how the Facetune Portraits  confront the growing power of algorithms to shape beauty and identity. Over centuries, portraits reflected shifting cultural ideals, but they were still grounded

AI is often positioned as a tool of infinite creativity, a system capable of generating new visual worlds and expanding artistic possibility. Many of the Lumen Prize nominees exemplify that optimism, showcasing AI as a generative partner in the production of groundbreaking digital works. A deeper look at how Universal Beauty, Facetune, Portraits, Nigeria  challenges the myth of AI as a purely creative force — revealing how it shapes sameness across bodies, identities, and cul

“Follow this account if you want to see what happens when filters meet the real world.” A look into what happens when the digitally perfected face is translated back into traditional portraiture. That line captures the central tension behind the Facetune Portraits : the collision between algorithmic beauty and human presence. In the history of portraiture, the face has always been a site of meaning—an index of individuality and an expression of cultural ideals. Today, our fac

Digital art is often framed as a recent phenomenon, especially with the rise of AI-generated imagery. But the field has been evolving for more than half a century. A look at how digital art evolved from early computer experiments to today’s algorithm-driven beauty apps — and how the Facetune Portraits challenge the ideology behind digital perfection. Its roots can be traced back to the 1960s, when artists such as Harold Cohen began collaborating with computers. His program AA

In today’s digital age, beauty is often dictated by algorithms. AI filters, photo editing apps, and social media standards create a single, homogenized vision of what “perfect” looks like. This process erases the quirks, asymmetries, and imperfections that make each face unique. Facetune Portraits  by Gretchen Andrew brings this hidden standard to light. Using custom robotics, oil painting, and a decade of experimentation, the project reveals how technology is shaping our per

Gretchen Andrew’s practice sits at the intersection of art, technology, and cultural critique—yet what makes her work truly powerful is the way she reframes what technology can be . At a time when digital systems increasingly shape identity, beauty standards, and self-perception, her work reminds us that these tools don’t have to diminish humanity. When filtered through artistic intention, they can become instruments that strengthen creativity and cultural awareness. A deeper

We live in a digital era obsessed with perfection. AI filters, photo-editing apps, and social media algorithms push everyone toward the same “ideal” look, making faces appear increasingly similar. Uniqueness is fading, and subtle quirks—what makes each face memorable—are being erased. This project celebrates real faces and challenges the uniformity pushed by AI, filters, and social media trends. Follow if you stand for individuality over algorithmic perfection. Facetune Portr

“By blending traditional artistic practices with cutting-edge tools, Gretchen not only critiques the negative impacts of technology on human life but also highlights its immense potential for positive change.” This statement captures the heart of Gretchen Andrew’s practice—one grounded in craft and intuition yet unafraid to enter the computational world. In Facetune Portraits: Universal Beauty , Gretchen takes tools more commonly associated with distortion and erasure—algorit

“Gretchen Andrew’s work stands as a testament to the transformative power of art and technology when wielded thoughtfully.” This sentiment captures the essence of her practice, which operates at the intersection of creative intuition, cultural critique, and technological possibility. Featuring insights from Contemporary Lynx and Patrycja Poznańska on Gretchen Andrew’s transformative approach to art and technology. In Facetune Portraits: Universal Beauty , Gretchen takes tools

We live in a world obsessed with perfection. AI, filters, and cosmetic enhancements promise flawless skin, symmetrical features, and “ideal” looks—but in the process, we lose the uniqueness that makes each face memorable. Discover a project that challenges the idea of AI perfection. Facetune Portraits makes visible the homogenization happening in beauty, social media, and celebrity culture. Follow along if you believe imperfection is powerful. Enter Facetune Portraits , a gro

“Gretchen is renowned for her innovative fusion of traditional artistic mediums… with advanced technologies like robotics, algorithms, and artificial intelligence.” Where Art Meets AI. This duality is at the heart of Facetune Portraits: Universal Beauty , where Gretchen transforms the logic of painting into the logic of machines — revealing how AI can distort beauty but also how artists can reshape it. Featuring highlights from Contemporary Lynx and writer Patrycja Poznańska