10 Questions with ArtistX - Shyam Sreevalsan

Shyam Sreevalsan, who creates art under the name ArtistX, is a visual artist who brings a measured approach to the digital medium, allowing the essence of traditional art to inform his contemporary practice. 

His approach often involves creating alternating layers of human and machine-generated artistic expression and includes a melding of visual imagery with text, algorithms, audio, video, and mixed media. His work contributes to ongoing conversations about the role of technology in art and its potential to expand artistic expression without losing its human connection.

ArtistX creations are deeply influenced by nature and cultural heritage from around the world and convey undercurrents of history, myth, and pathos. Through his work, he strives to demonstrate how these influences can be integrated into modern mediums to create art that is at once accessible and layered, current yet timeless.

ArtistX’s work has been exhibited at international venues as well as various digitally curated collections, including the Museum of Crypto Art, SuperRare Collection, and ETH Berlin.

superrare.com/artistx | @the.artist.x

INTERVIEW

First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. What is your artistic background, and how did you start experimenting with images?

I'm Shyam Sreevalsan, and I create visual art digitally under the name ArtistX. I started off working with traditional mediums, but my background in computer programming steered me towards digital art, and it is where I have found my audience and my place.

Why are you an artist, and when did you first become one?

I am an artist because I believe in the power of visual language to communicate complex emotions and ideas in a way that written or spoken language cannot. I like to think that all of us are artists as children. Unfortunately, most of us forget that fact when we grow up. In my case, I started to embrace this identity around 2018 when I realized that my work could inspire and provoke thought in others.

How would you define yourself as an artist today?

Today, I would define myself as an artist who thrives at the crossroads of innovation and tradition. My art is a constant conversation between the old and the new, the organic and the artificial.

Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? How do you go from the first idea to the final outcome?

The process of creating my work is quite iterative. It starts with a concept, often inspired by nature or cultural motifs, which I then explore through sketches and digital mockups. The final outcome is a result of back-and-forth between the software's suggestions and my artistic decisions, a dance until the piece feels complete.

As you mention in your statement, your work blends "alternating layers of human and machine-generated artistic expression." How did you come up with this idea?

The idea occurred to me quite organically while I was experimenting with editing some photos of pastel art that I had created in the past, and photographs I've taken in my travels. My work brought me to machine learning and AI quite early, a few years before the hype exploded, and I was fascinated by the possibilities this opened up. I was fascinated by how algorithms could interpret data in visually striking ways and wanted to combine that with the human touch of emotion and intention.

What's the essential element in your art? And what themes do you pursue with your work?

The essential element in my art is storytelling. The themes I pursue are those of interconnectedness—between humans and nature, the past and the present, emotion and logic.
One recurring theme is the relationship between nature and technology—how they contrast, yet how they can also reflect and inform each other. I'm fascinated by the patterns in nature and how they echo in the digital world, whether it's the branching of trees mirrored in algorithmic structures or the flow of water mimicking fluid simulations.
I'm intrigued by the human condition—the spectrum of emotions, the collective experiences, and the individual narratives that define us. My art often touches on concepts of identity, memory, and the passage of time, inviting viewers to reflect on their own place within the larger human story. 
In each piece, the aim is to evoke a sense of curiosity and introspection, to create a space where viewers can engage with the work on multiple levels. It's about crafting a dialogue, a shared experience between the artwork, the technology behind it, and the individual engaging with it.

You seem to have very distinctive styles, with recurring colors and visual elements, especially derived from cultural heritage. What inspired you to create this style?

My style, which often incorporates motifs from various cultures, is inspired by my travels and my love for history. I aim to capture the richness of the world's heritage and present it through a contemporary lens. Over the years, I've been fortunate to immerse myself in various cultures, each rich with its own visual language, color palette, and symbolic motifs. These experiences have been instrumental in shaping my artistic vocabulary.
The recurring colors and visual elements in my work are an homage to the diverse tapestries of cultural heritage that I've encountered. Each piece I create is an attempt to distill the essence of these cultural experiences and reinterpret them through a modern, digital medium. It's about capturing not just the aesthetic of these places and traditions but the emotions and stories they represent. I'm drawn to the way colors and shapes can transcend language and time, conveying mood and meaning in an instant. By weaving these elements into my work, I'm not just creating art; I'm crafting a visual lexicon that bridges my personal experiences with universal themes of beauty, mystery, and connection.

You work digitally. What technologies do you use? And how do you create and incorporate AI-generated images into your work?

I like to meld multiple worlds, so even though I work primarily digitally, I sometimes introduce physical art that I have painted or photographs that I have taken of real-world objects to incorporate texture and character from the real world into my digital creations. I do not see the flood of generative AI art as a threat or a problem; I see it as an opportunity, just like the creation of photography or any new artistic style from the past. 
In terms of the technology that I use, it varies from project to project. I have written my own custom algorithms in Python, Processing, and P5.js, used open-source models such as GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks) and also commercially available tools such as Runway, Midjourney, and more. 

On a broader level, what do you think about the art community? Do you feel you have found your place in there?

The art community is a broad tapestry, and within it, I've found a niche where my work resonates with those who appreciate the blend of technology and tradition. I feel connected to both the digital art space and the larger artistic tradition.

Finally, are there any projects you are looking forward to for this year?

Looking forward, I'm excited about a series of pieces that delve deeper into the intersection of AI and traditional art forms from across the world. I'm also exploring art that spills over into the real world and makes the storytelling more immersive.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.