By Ling Hui
KUCHING, May 4: While Artificial Intelligence (AI) has infiltrated the art industry causing some to see AI-generated art as a threat to traditional artists, Sarawak sape sweetheart and artist Alena Murang begs to differ.
Though she herself has not tried AI art before, Alena was confident that there remains a market among the general public for paintings, similar to handcrafted goods.
She believed that there are people in the world who appreciate arts and crafts that are made from the hands of humans, and not machines.
“At the end of the day, there is something about handcrafted goods, like our Dayak weaving. You can buy machine-made textiles, but there is still a market for hand-woven things.
“There are still people out there who appreciate things that are made from the heart, soul and the hands of another human.
“So, I don’t think there is any threat to (traditional) arts. (AI art) It is just something different,” she said in a Zoom interview today.
Alena was talking to reporters online about general art topics and her solo art show ‘Colours of the Highlands’ that is coming to an end on Monday (May 8).
When asked to give advices for upcoming artists who are having difficulties selling their art pieces, Alena suggested exposure on social media magazines and scouting for a gallery to showcase their works.
“There are pages on Instagram that have hundreds and thousands of followers. They curate different artists from around the world and you can submit your work, maybe they will feature it and you get new audiences.
“The other way is to find a good gallery that you find resonates with your artwork and it’s usually or traditionally the gallery that then connects you with art fans, the media or buyers around the world,” she said. — DayakDaily
