In September 2025 we hosted artist Mark Antony Smith & his project Human Robot. Mark had spent 2024 using AI to create a Virtual version of his artist self, to then be in conversation with to both reflect on his previous work as well dream up new ideas together.

One idea that has come to life is Human Robot, a performance painting installation whereby the artist painted 6 canvases over the course of 12 days under the instruction of AI/Virtual Mark. We speak here with Mark on the eve of his project going live about his education & career to date, alongside thoughts of working with AI & its potential in creative process.

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As this was recorded prior to the activation we have been able to reflect on the project. To understand, The Virtual Mark would set a title & a paragraph description for him to start. It would then “view”/photograph his painting each 15mins & tell Mark what his next painting instruction would be. At the end of each painting Virtual Mark would give an overview, verdict & price the artwork accordingly.

The project itself became an endurance performance art piece in its own right. Leaning on the origins of the word robot, meaning to be in slave of, Mark as a painter ws exhausted… no one paints 7 hours a day for 12 days straight! Intriguing aspects such as the AI not really understanding how to paint prompted a push & pull between the machine & the artist. This project achieved its goal of looking at aspects of creative ownership & authorship, alongside displaying the true labour of an artist.

For a unique view of the project Human Mark asked Virtual Mark for a short essay of “his” view of Human Robot… the commentary is fascinating, READ HERE