[Interview] Saatchi Art and Samsung The Frame Art Store Take Virtual Art to a Next Level
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By STF News
Since its introduction in 2017, Samsung Art Store has provided users with remarkable pieces of art in 4K resolution directly to their homes. Users can access these masterpieces via The Frame, Samsung’s lifestyle TV with an enhanced Matte Display that reduces light reflection. With this newest feature, The Frame allows users to view brilliant pieces of art from a catalogue of thousands right on their screen using Art Mode.
To further accessibility to and diversity within art, Samsung has been partnering with numerous museums, galleries and art collectives, with the latest Artlife Matters and Samsung Art Store partnership being one of them. Together, Artlife Matters and Samsung Art Store have been providing consumers with a unique and inspiring selection of artworks by Ghanaian and African artists, giving viewers who may not have been able to view the works in person a chance to experience the art in the comfort of their homes.
Samsung Newsroom sat down with Eric Agyare, the Founder and Project Director at Artlife Matters, to discuss how the organization and its partnership with Samsung Art Store has transformed the perception of art and its role in enhancing diversity and accessibility for artists in Ghana and Africa.
▲ Artists at the Artist Seminar held by Artlife Matters in 2022
Expanding Opportunities for Art
Q: Can you tell us a bit about Artlife Matters and what inspired you to pursue a partnership with Samsung Art Store?
Artlife Matters is an art-influential organization that looks to foster collaboration and partnership opportunities that showcase practicing and upcoming artists within the creative arts space. Due to limited opportunities and resources, at times it can be difficult for artists to reach their full potential. In partnering with the Samsung Art Store, we are able to provide a platform that allows artists the opportunity to experience art from a worldwide lens.
Q: How has the reception of your partnership with Samsung been from members of Artlife Matters and its artists?
The reception from artists has been positive. The exposure and revenue model of the Art Store platform has solved significant career challenges, and our artists now have the peace of mind to keep doing what they love without concerns for livelihood. To date, we currently have artwork submissions from six African countries, allowing consumers to truly enjoy the diverse artwork Artlife Matters provide.
Q: How has your experience working with Samsung affected consumers’ perception of African art?
The partnership has also positively affected consumers’ preferences, exposing them to the unknown aesthetics of our continent. As a result, I believe users of The Frame are more enlightened on the new African narrative than ever before. During our Artist Seminar held in December 2022, Artlife Matters recorded that most of our listed artists on that platform had been contacted by users of The Frame. Some conversations are leading to new projects as well.
Creating Diverse and Accessible Environments in Art
Q: As an art-influential organization that celebrates and promotes art as a form of expression, what are some of the ways the organization helps to address societal issues and inspire a creative and inclusive society?
Artlife Matters has been implementing an art-based capacity building project called “Artitude”, which aims to expand the possibilities of the creative art space. Through workshops, internships and mentorships, we have engaged over 4,395 young creatives in senior high schools across Ghana, showing them the social, cultural and economic possibilities in the creative art space while also promoting the importance of art.
Our goal is to celebrate and highlight art as a social, cultural and economic development tool. The school and community projects we run are created to inspire and shape creatives to reach their vast potential within the art industry. Our goal is to become a pan-African organization with an art ecosystem that allows new and existing creatives to exchange and implement ideas that shape society.
Q: What role do you see technology playing in bridging the accessibility gap for consumers and artists in the coming years?
We believe the effort in democratizing the art industry through technology is increasing the demand for creative goods. Through technology, art can become accessible to the right consumers and offer more exposure to artists’ work. The dream of having a viable career in art can easily be made possible for young adults living in remote areas in Ghana.
Illustrating the Vibrancy and Richness Art
Q: What are some of the unique artistic elements that define Ghanaian art and the newest works in the Art Store?
Ghana is increasingly becoming the hub for contemporary African art. Our vibrant colors, unique way of representing blackness and the authenticity of the Ghanaian narrate now have the world’s attention. We use every opportunity to advocate and demonstrate art’s social, cultural and economic value in Ghana and beyond. Artlife Matters is focused on creating and managing a vibrant art space that influences positive community behaviors, as depicted in the Kolorscape art piece.
Q: Of the newest works in the Art Store, which piece would you recommend for users to display on The Frame?
To showcase the amazing and vibrant works from Artlife Matters and its artists, I’d recommend that consumers display the works of art outlined below on The Frame.
▲ Kolorscapes (2021) by Dela Aemaga(Becké)
Dela Aemaga is a contemporary artist. His works spur dialogue on race, society, culture, religion and politics. Dela firmly believes art validates perception, and this is how he perceives the future of the Accra creative community in this masterpiece.
▲ Melanin Lisa by Elkanah Kwadwo Mpesum (el Carna)
Elkanah Kwadwo Mpesum is a professional illustrator with an edge to narrate authentic African stories. His version of the “Mona Lisa” is a tribute to the beauty and majesty of black womanhood.
▲ She Snap by Manzi Leon
Manzi Leon is a self-taught surreal visual and digital artist who loves the impasto painting style because it gives him exciting energy to see visible brush strokes converging on a canvas to form a masterpiece that expresses the thoughts and feelings of women in his community. This painting depicts how we get happiness and the power to stick to what motivates us.
To see more of Artlife Matters’ artwork, head to the Samsung Art Store in The Frame.
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By STF News
Samsung Art Store is a remarkable service for The Frame, the award-winning lifestyle TV that gives viewers new ways to enjoy artwork from the comfort of their home. The art subscription platform provides access to an expansive range of artworks, giving users the power to transform their living room into their own personal art gallery.
Hyun Kim has been working as an artist for 20 years since he made his debut as a children’s book illustrator. His most famous painting, “Gooly Gooly Friends,” is known for its adorable animals with vibrant colors and a sense of warmth. Inspired by his daily experiences, Kim’s work is playfully cheerful and appeals to both children and adults.
Samsung Newsroom met with Kim to talk about how his heartwarming artworks can turn our monotonous lives into sweet fairy tales.
▲ Illustrator Hyun Kim and his studio
Q: The collaboration with Samsung Art Store focused mainly on the cheerful and lovely characters from “Gooly Gooly Friends” and was hugely popular among users. What artworks are you displaying on the Art Store this time and why?
Most of the previous works displayed on the Art Store were simple and bright character pictures.
As a children’s book illustrator, I always try my best to portray the world as seen through the eyes of children. That’s why many have said my work brings back childhood memories.
I realized that people love not only a pure, delightful world like that of their childhood but also serene images that are equally impactful and aesthetic. Recently, I’ve expanded my process to include the perspective of adult audiences as well. I believe everyone has their own inner child, and I consider what world that little child would want to see when choosing an art subject.
I hope the joy of art can rejuvenate any family member, not only young children.
Q: What are the benefits of displaying art digitally on a screen?
Digital art allows audiences to access artwork anytime and anywhere. So, its biggest advantage lies in its flexibility. Users can select different pieces based on their emotions or to fulfill a certain purpose. That small change can also make their whole space completely different.
I think The Frame is the best screen for my work and other digital art as its incredible picture quality displays the detailed colors and captures the unique textures.
Q: With technological advances, the way we experience and consume artwork is changing. What is the role of the Art Store?
The Art Store helps users easily and comfortably access art in their daily lives while also providing an opportunity for lesser-known artists around the world to introduce their work to new audiences. In addition, the Art Store serves as a gallery at home where anyone can enjoy masterpieces from a variety of popular museums.
I hope that the Art Store will continue to expand this virtuous cycle where both artists and audiences can coexist and benefit.
Q: What three pieces of yours would you recommend for users to display through the Art Store?
▲ Merry Christmas
“Merry Christmas” can be displayed alongside Christmas décor in one’s home to make it even more festive during December. I often display other artists’ works in my living room, but for December, I chose “Merry Christmas” to refresh the overall atmosphere.
▲ Redwoods
This past April, I went on a solo trip to Jeju Island. I spent so much time taking slow strolls in the forest. One day, I really felt the Forest of Healing comforting me with its profound silence, and I felt the incredible energy of nature.
“Redwoods” is the first artwork I drew after my trip. It always reminds me of that awe-inspiring and exciting moment.
▲ Waiting Xmas
“Waiting Xmas” is a dark painting with more densely packed subjects. The style is different from my traditional artworks, which consist of vibrant, basic colors and adorable characters. “Waiting Xmas” shows the excitement of preparing for Christmas in a quiet winter with achromatic colors.
Q: What is your future goal as an artist?
Samsung Art Store enabled the global exhibition of my work. The other day, a person from the other side of the world said that my work gave them great comfort during a tough time. I have also heard that many kids see my work every day. How wonderful is that?
I am greatly looking forward to continuing to work with the Art Store to positively influence others through art.
To see more artwork from Hyun Kim, head to the Tonybunny collection of the Art Store.
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By STF News
Art is a reflection of a region’s history, providing valuable insights into the direction society is headed. This is especially true for National Gallery Singapore, which oversees the world’s largest public collection of modern Singapore and Southeast Asian art — acting as a “melting pot” of art from the region.
Samsung Art Store is an art subscription service that began in 2017 for The Frame, the company’s lifestyle TV. In partnership with more than 50 museums and galleries worldwide, the service provides more than 2,000 pieces of artwork, ranging from famous paintings to unique pieces from emerging artists. Through this service, users can access various works of art in 4K resolution from the comfort of their own homes.
Since April 2022, Samsung Art Store has been partnering with National Gallery Singapore to bring consumers a curated selection of prominent artworks by Singaporean and Southeast Asian artists. A leading visual arts institution, the Gallery is a custodian of over 8,000 works that form Singapore’s National Collection, which capture the changing landscape of this dynamic region.
Samsung Newsroom sat down with Jason Ong, Director, Partnership Development at National Gallery Singapore to discuss how the Gallery and its partnership with Samsung Art Store are redefining the role of art galleries and its role in fostering diversity and accessibility.
▲ National Gallery Singapore
Q: National Gallery Singapore’s partnership with Samsung Art Store is fairly recent, having been announced in April 2022. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind this partnership?
National Gallery Singapore is committed to making our collection more accessible as well as to deepen the public’s engagement with our artworks. Collaboration with like-minded partners, such as Samsung, help us to achieve this goal. We are especially heartened to know that though this partnership, artworks from our collection can reach an international audience in the comforts of their home.
As the first Southeast Asian museum represented in the Art Store, our presence on the Art Store allows us to showcase some of our key artworks to a global audience; we hope that this will enhance awareness and appreciation of our region’s rich art history.
Through technology, visitors are able to have a glimpse of the diversity of art and narratives showcased through the selected artworks. We hope this partnership will ignite more interest not only for works from our collection but also for Singapore and Southeast Asian art in general.
Q: Can you tell us more about the Gallery’s goal to foster and inspire a creative and inclusive society? What does this look like?
The Gallery is working towards expanding the hearts, perspectives and horizons of the public through art. We have been steadfast in our ambition to deepen art appreciation in our audiences. Our desire to develop the Gallery as a space for dialogue and discovery also extends to the exhibitions we present. By sharing the magic of storytelling with all, our exhibitions and programs can add to, adapt or remake age-old tales. Our critically acclaimed exhibitions are curated to promote conversations and encourage fresh perspectives on the art of Singapore, Southeast Asia and the world.
Q: Samsung Art Store recently updated its selection from the Gallery’s diverse collections to include pieces from renowned artists such as You Khin, John Turnbull Thomson and Raden Saleh. How were these works chosen?
We display a unique transnational approach towards our collection as we aim to rewrite the art histories of this region. The works selected for Samsung — varying in medium, subject matter and social concerns — demonstrate the diversity of art from the region. You will find a wide range of works drawn from various countries in the region from the 19th to 20th century, varying in medium and artistic style.
Q: Which three would you recommend for users to display on The Frame?
Kampong Pasir Panjang was painted by Singaporean artist, Idris Ali, in 1965. Idris Ali’s paintings of Singapore are important as they serve as visual documentation of our national heritage. We hope that this painting provides an insight into the local landscape of early post-independence Singapore.
▲ Kampong Pasir Panjang (1965) by Idris Mohd Ali
You Khin’s Untitled (Doha Scene: Pakistani Bakers) records the local Pakistani bakery that Cambodian artist, You Khin often visited with his children during his years in Doha and offers insights into how he passed the time in his adopted home. This painting also demonstrates how other regions of the world are interpreted in Southeast Asia’s modern art through artists who travelled widely like You Khin.
▲ Untitled (Doha Scene: Pakistani Bakers) (1990) by You Khin
Boschbrand (Forest Fire) is one of the most iconic artworks of the Gallery represented in the Art Store since the inception of the partnership in April. While this piece isn’t one of the latest additions to the Art Store, it is a remarkable artwork with a dramatic representation of wild animals chased by flames to the edge of the precipice. The work was presented as a gift by Indonesian artist Raden Saleh to his patron King Willem III of the Netherlands in 1850. It is monumental in scale; we are glad that this masterpiece can be displayed and appreciated by The Frame owners from the comforts of their homes.
▲ Boschbrand (Forest Fire) (1849) by Raden Saleh
Q: You’ve worked on digital projects ranging from NFTs to the Web3 universe to make art more interactive and accessible. How do you foresee technology bridging the accessibility gap for consumers and artists in the coming years?
We must continue to harness this ability as we press towards the digital realm alongside everyone else. It is not enough to replicate the experience of visiting our galleries. Instead, visitors will have the opportunity to craft their own unique museum experience through modes of online engagement centered on interaction. Through video tutorials, games and livestreams, individuals can query artists; children can make art with their parents; and students can tour our exhibitions with their teachers.
As part of this initiative, the Gallery has recently created a private blockchain for “Adopt Now,” a public crowdfunding initiative that allows anyone to adopt part of an artwork from its art collection for as little as 50 Singapore Dollars. We are thrilled to report that this micro-giving initiative has received an encouraging response.
Q: Do you have any other upcoming exhibitions or projects you can tell us about? Do you have plans for any more digital art projects in the future?
As an innovative museum, National Gallery Singapore continues to innovate and explore emerging technologies to see what is possible in creating more opportunities for art appreciation among our visitors. To make art even more accessible, the Gallery launched ARText in September, an interactive platform that lets users learn about Southeast Asian art through daily conversations on common messaging apps.
ARText is built on the concept of micro-learning and delivers bite-size and interactive art learning experiences to mobile devices. The Gallery is also looking at personalizing the experience by integrating artificial intelligence text recognition software.
To see more artwork from National Gallery Singapore, head to Samsung Art Store in The Frame.
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By STF News
Creating your own personal home gallery has never been easier thanks to Samsung Art Store. The Samsung Art Store contains a collection of over 2,000 works created by various artists, connecting people to a wide variety of aesthetic styles, designs and pieces that both inspire and touch the heart.
The Samsung Art Store is making art more accessible for all by providing professionally curated art for The Frame users. From master pieces to modern art and breathtaking photographs, the Samsung Art Store adds a touch of personalization to your home, all displayed brilliantly on a crisp 4K screen.
To learn more about the selection process for curating pieces for the Samsung Art Store, Samsung Newsroom sat down with Daria Brit Greene, Senior Curator for the Samsung Art Store. Read on to learn about how the Samsung Art Store is providing a new way to experience art from the comfort and convenience of your home.
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