Brazilian artist merges AI and traditional art in Seoul exhibition

By Park Sae-jin Posted : October 16, 2024, 11:24 Updated : October 16, 2024, 11:27
Patricia Abbot speaks at an exhibition at the Brazilian Embassy in central Seoul on Oct. 15. AJP Park Sae-jin
SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - At the Brazilian Embassy in Seoul, Patricia Abbot Tuesday unveiled her exhibition "Beyond Recollection," featuring surreal oil paintings that blur the line between familiarity and abstract. The showcased works include depictions of birds, landscapes, and ambiguous forms that evoke a sense of recognition without clarity.

Abbot, a 37-year-old Brazilian artist, draws inspiration from artificial intelligence, generating digital images through AI prompts and then reinterpreting them on canvas. "AI is an opening for my work," Abbot told Aju Press. She describes her interaction with AI as a dialogue, with moments of creative shock guiding her process. "There are times when I don't fully understand what happened, but I know that's when I want to start painting."
 
This image shows an oil painting by Patricia Abbot depicting three birds. Courtesy of Patrica Abbot
The artist's approach stems from a desire to slow down the fleeting nature of AI-generated images. "These AI images change so quickly. I felt the need to slow them down, to give them a sense of permanence with oil painting," she said.
 
Brazilian Ambassador to Korea Marcia Donner Abreu (left) introduces Patricia Abbot to visitors at an exhibition at the Brazilian Embassy in central Seoul on Oct. 15. AJP Park Sae-jin
Brazilian Ambassador to Korea Marcia Donner Abreu, views the exhibition as a cultural bridge, fostering collaboration between the arts and technology sectors of Brazil and Korea. With a major delegation from São Paulo set to visit Korea in November, she emphasized that the mission will focus on AI, education, and culture.

"Korea has strong programs for integrating AI into daily life and various industries. I hope this exhibition and our upcoming mission create opportunities for collaboration in art, culture, and AI," Donner said.

The exhibition runs until the end of this month.