Meet SEO Artist Gretchen Andrew

Gretchen Andrew makes use of the web not solely as her material but additionally as muse, nemeses, and uncooked materials. She creates “imaginative and prescient boards” which aesthetically focus on alleged female imagery and power, however carry out a manipulation of know-how with a rogue hacker aptitude, programmed to hijack focused search engine algorithms. Her work historical past at Google gave her not solely the experience however the inspiration to infiltrate the data stream, efficiently changing high search returns for artwork world establishments from Frieze Los Angeles to the Whitney Biennial, and even the “cowl” of Artforum. Her cheeky subversions are tethered to her collages — each digital and in dimensional IRL blended media works — with pictures culled from the very search engine outcomes she later subverts — alongside the way in which leading to full of life and fractured hyper-pop narratives of life in our on-line world.

Gretchen Andrew, Contemporary Art Auction Record, Gold and pink excessive heels, champagne wire hoods and charcoal on canvas, 40 x 30

L.A. WEEKLY: When did you first know you had been an artist?

GRETCHEN ANDREW: When I made a decision to be one. That resolution got here to me after I was 24, and I used to be getting overpaid to work on the world’s primary firm to work for…and I used to be sad. I imply, I don’t assume I actually had a selection at that time.

 

What is your quick reply to individuals who ask what your work is about?

My work is concerning the energy of need. I hack techniques of energy with artwork, glitter and code to get every thing I’ve ever wished. I program my imaginative and prescient boards into changing into high search outcomes, utilizing AI and Natural Language Processing to control the web into making my desires come true.

 

What would you be doing in case you weren’t an artist?

When I’m not making artwork, I’m poorly taking part in Taylor Swift covers on the piano and ingesting champagne. Is {that a} job? If gluing gems to canvas and speaking about my wishes is a job, then I guess I might future that out.

Gretchen Andrew, Best MFA, Princess bathe curtain and charcoal on canvas, 48 x 36

Did you go to artwork faculty? Why/Why not?

Google “Best MFA” and as a substitute of the highest artwork faculties you’re going to get my vision boards about making your personal path as a substitute of paying for a proper arts training. Initially, I didn’t go to artwork faculty as a result of I didn’t get in. As my observe has developed, I’ve discovered that essentially the most sincere artwork I could make is essentially the most private, essentially the most grounded in my completely particular person path, which for me concerned working in huge tech and finding out info principle.

 

Why do you reside and work in L.A., and never elsewhere?

I also can simply procure all my craft provides—comparable to 500 ballerina cap toppers—in L.A.’s completely distinctive craft and style districts.

 

When is/was your present/most up-to-date/subsequent present?

I at present have work at König Galerie in Berlin in a present referred to as The Artist is Online: Painting and Sculpture within the Digital Age. I then have my first solo exhibition with Annka Kultys Gallery in London, opening April 22, referred to as Other Forms of Travel. It would be the first time that my imaginative and prescient boards are hung in a gallery and you may really go to them!

Gretchen Andrew, Best MFA, Poker stickers, bubbles, cookbook cutouts and charcoal on canvas, 48 x 36

What artist residing or useless would you most like to point out with?

At my upcoming residency with London’s National Gallery X, I’m going to get to exhibit with an formally loaned Van Gogh in digital actuality. I additionally like the concept our heroes must be ourselves in 10 years. This is only the start and on daily basis I create my future.

 

Website and social media handles, please!

@gretcheandrew

gretchenandrew.com

Gretchen Andrew, Best MFA, Iron on film scenes, good luck charms and charcoal on canvas, 48 x 36

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