Morgan Buck's paintings are an ode to the paradoxical nature of creativity in the digital age. His airbrushed works, with their digitally manipulated images and surreal compositions, blur the lines between high art and internet detritus. This is not a commentary on the superficiality of digital culture, but rather a reflection of Buck's own fascination with its possibilities.
Buck's process begins with scavenging screenshots, video captions, AI outputs, and stock imagery, which he manipulates digitally to create paintings that are both funny and uncanny. His use of airbrushing technique not only obscures subjects but also allows for the creation of photorealistic effects, lending a sense of authenticity to his digital images.
The artist's work is a sly subversion of the notion that art must be laborious and intentionally constructed. Instead, Buck employs AI as a tool to streamline his creative process, allowing him to focus on the conceptual underpinnings of his work. His paintings are not just aesthetically pleasing but also intellectually stimulating, probing themes such as attention, automation, and absurdity.
Buck's approach is both irreverent and self-aware, balancing humor with a deep sense of melancholy. His use of digital images allows him to tap into the weirdness of online culture, where irony and absurdity reign supreme. In doing so, Buck critiques the notion that art must be serious or didactic, instead embracing the ephemeral nature of digital media.
When it comes to engaging with his work, Buck hopes that viewers will experience a range of emotions – laughter, cringe, reflection, nostalgia, or even questioning their own consumption of images and attention. His paintings are not just entertaining but also thought-provoking, inviting viewers to consider the impact of technology on our perception of art.
Ultimately, Buck's goal is not to educate or persuade but to encourage viewers to think differently about creativity and its relationship with digital culture. By embracing the potential of AI as a creative tool, he offers a vision of art that is both excitingly new and profoundly human.
Buck's process begins with scavenging screenshots, video captions, AI outputs, and stock imagery, which he manipulates digitally to create paintings that are both funny and uncanny. His use of airbrushing technique not only obscures subjects but also allows for the creation of photorealistic effects, lending a sense of authenticity to his digital images.
The artist's work is a sly subversion of the notion that art must be laborious and intentionally constructed. Instead, Buck employs AI as a tool to streamline his creative process, allowing him to focus on the conceptual underpinnings of his work. His paintings are not just aesthetically pleasing but also intellectually stimulating, probing themes such as attention, automation, and absurdity.
Buck's approach is both irreverent and self-aware, balancing humor with a deep sense of melancholy. His use of digital images allows him to tap into the weirdness of online culture, where irony and absurdity reign supreme. In doing so, Buck critiques the notion that art must be serious or didactic, instead embracing the ephemeral nature of digital media.
When it comes to engaging with his work, Buck hopes that viewers will experience a range of emotions – laughter, cringe, reflection, nostalgia, or even questioning their own consumption of images and attention. His paintings are not just entertaining but also thought-provoking, inviting viewers to consider the impact of technology on our perception of art.
Ultimately, Buck's goal is not to educate or persuade but to encourage viewers to think differently about creativity and its relationship with digital culture. By embracing the potential of AI as a creative tool, he offers a vision of art that is both excitingly new and profoundly human.
... I mean, who would've thought that airbrushed images with manipulated digital stuff could be both funny and unsettling at the same time? 
It's like he's poking fun at how our attention is hijacked by social media and ads... but also kinda highlighting it in a way that makes you laugh at yourself for being sucked in. 
The way he uses AI to streamline his process is genius, it shows that art doesn't have to be all labor of love. And the themes he explores like absurdity and automation are so relatable in today's world... I feel like I'm staring into a mirror when I look at these paintings 
. but at the same time, i'm like, is he really using ai as a tool or is he just coasting off its ease? 
and what's with the airbrushed effect - is that supposed to be some kind of commentary on the superficiality of digital culture or what? 
it's all a bit confusing for me...
buck's work is like that, but on steroids.
let's give him credit for pushing those boundaries. 
... and what's with the airbrushing technique? Is it just a gimmick or does it add something to the overall vibe of his paintings? 
. He's not trying to tell you what to think, but rather just making you feel weird and questioning everything 