Ingrid McMillan

Artist Statement

My work is about humanity in this digital age. Who are we becoming in the context of the artificial intelligence revolution and the passing of time? While listening to astrophysicists and neuroscientists on Lex Fridman podcasts I think about how our biological characteristics might be transformed by artificial intelligence. These paintings are studies of imagined humanoids as vessels of human consciousness, painted as white light, with cable electrodes to augment our biological limitations and infuse benevolent values. The superimposed lines express the passing of time and the titles express a sound bite of consciousness.

What’s your background?

I have a 30 year background as art educator and counsellor in a public School Division in Winnipeg Canada. I was always painting during that time, but was unable to find my voice. When I began painting full-time in 2019 I was determined to discover my potential and limitations as a painter, and connect with a like-minded community of artists.    

What does it mean to you to win the Collectors Art Prize? 

It is a pleasant surprise and unexpected, like finding an Easter egg in the winter! It is also humbling, truly an honour.

What do you think is the role of art in the world today?

Art can have many roles but I especially like when art is a language of expression for the individual that, when exposed, inspires humanity to also self-actualize and aim to realize dreams.

What would it be if you could change one thing about the art world?

I feel that I am unqualified to comment on making changes because I don’t have enough information on what the art world is.  I have always felt that the geographical location of the artist plays a major role in their trajectory. I am impressed that many organizations, like yourself, Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, are working hard to offer artists online representation. 

What are your most significant professional achievements?

For me a significant achievement is my personal growth with each painting/ body of paintings, where I feel successful about executing an idea to its fullest expression within my limitations. It lies in the ongoing cyclical process where showing my work completes a cycle and marks the beginning of a new curiosity. In that sense, every day in the studio is a significant achievement.

What do you wish to tell viewers about your work that might not come out explicitly? What do you hope to inspire with your artwork?

I believe deeply in the concepts of time and consciousness, so elegantly expressed by painters like Agnes Martin and Georgio Morandi. Now the AI revolution has also gripped me to imagine how it can transform humanity. This morning the recently launched Chat GPT 4 effortlessly generated a host of titles to express consciousness for my upcoming work.  I don’t think about how I might inspire others but maybe my enthusiasm to imagine will spark the same in someone.

What advice would you give to the upcoming generation of artists?

If making art is a necessary and inevitable feature of who you are, it requires a lifestyle of commitment and discipline like being an Olympic athlete. To sustain this lifestyle it would be ideal to have a job that pays well enough so that you can work part-time and maximize your remaining time for art making.  

In what direction would you like to see your career go in the next five years?

I would be very lucky to grow and improve as painter and be represented by at least one gallery or art dealer that has international connections with auction houses in New York, London and Europe. That’s the dream.  

Country Canada

Website https://ingridmcmillan.com