You probably know him from his fabulous blog Notes From the Edge but we are here to let you know a lot more about this artist from New Zealand…
ANDREW IN HIS OWN WORDS
My name is Andrew Buchanan, born and raised in NZ now living in Sydney. I entered Sydney University to study an English degree with a high distinction but have been unable to complete my degree due to acquiring multiple disabilities including a STBI, post-traumatic epilepsy, deafness – profoundly in one ear and a 30% in the other, visual field deficits and T12-L1 paraplegia from an accident at work on a building site.
I have worked in the hospitality and construction industry my entire life up until becoming disabled. My insurance company and the NSW Government have now deemed me “unfit to work” – drat.
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These were the interview questions we posed:
1) How much time in the day do you dedicate to your creative work?
1: I write, make music, and paint, largely untrained, but it is hard to put a time value on any of my art because even when I am not making or producing I am always thinking about it.
2) Other than the job of creating art, what other duties or responsibilities do you think an artist has?
2: I think that art is a way to decipher the undecipherable, I know that sounds a bit trite but I live with multiple acquired disabilities and I can find no other way to make sense of the world around me. Personally I do not see any responsibility for an artist, as long as it is true to the artist other’s opinions should not matter. Saying that I have been attacked by several people over the content of my stories. To tell you the truth I would prefer somebody to say, «you cannot write, or you are not a good writer» rather than somebody telling me off for the content of my stories. Art should be about freedom and not censorship
3) What is your opinion of AI (Artificial Intelligence)?
3: AI is a big problem in our society, can AI write a novel, or produce an original piece of art? Also it is taking work, jobs, away from people. Yes a computer can reproduce the Mona Lisa but can a computer create an original piece of art?
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ANDREW’S ART
And we are inviting you, yes, you, to also be a protagonist on FEATURES by VALENCIARTIST. If you are an artist or a writer or in any way engaged in the fine arts, you qualify. To join us all you have to do is reply to this post with an email address so that we can send you the information.
CHEERS
JaZzArt en València 
Awesome of you Francisco ❤ to introduce Andrew !!! It’s wonderful to meet you 🙂 and your answers are artful and telling. Especially how much time we spend «thinking» about art. I am saddened to «hear» anyone put another down for their artistic interpretations or how they display in that moment. As for AI … time will tell! Thank you for another great interview!
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Thank you. I was very happy to feature him, a very good interview indeed. All the best!
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Good interview yes he is right AI is a big problem for our society. Well shared 💐
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Yes, I quite agree Priti.
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💐
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I enjoyed reading about this featured artist. Andrew is right in saying that he only has to be true to him or herself and not others.
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I quite agree Malc.
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Totally agree, Art is about personal expression and that human touch is irreplaceable, while AI can replicate or produce art,but it lacks the unique personal touch that only humans can provide.
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Total agreement here as well. AI is nothing to be feared of, it is another tool, and I am sure that many artists (and I am only looking at the part reference art) will experiment with. It might damage the job status of designers, but never of artists as art is exclusively a human endeavour. Thank you so much Sia, and all the best.
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One of the joys of being an artist is creating something from nothing. Well, not nothing exactly but being inspired by an idea, a view or a scene and drawing, painting or photographing to make something that did not exist before. The process is an act of creation, from noticing a particular colour or light, composing the layout of the work to the execution of the piece.
The problem I have with AI-generated Art is that it is automated Art. It has no meaning. Work generated by AI isn’t novel. It’s banal — or worst of all, in the art world — derivative. The problem is that AI Art is getting better and they are using living artists’ work to improve. In doing this, they are killing off thousands of jobs, such as illustrators, cartoonists and designers. AI companies are not going to compensate those people. It will also put young people off from going to art school. Artists will have to give up Art as they can’t make a living at it. Why bother spending years honing your skills and unique style if AI can do it better and faster? Why bother taking 10–20 years learning colour theory and anatomy if AI is just going to rip off your work in seconds? Thanks for sharing, and have a wonderful day 🙂 Aiva xx
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No, I don’t see it that way Aiva. AI might damage the job of some designers but it will never replace the work of an artist. Art is created only by humans. AI will become a tool, just like the synthesiser became another tool (instrument) for musicians, but the real ones (instruments) are still around. Now it is a novelty but later it will simply find its place. As long as art schools continue to teach the basics, art will never be affected negatively by AI. An artist is an artist. AI is a computer programme. Cheers and all the best!
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🥰🥰🥰
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“As long as it is true to the artist, others opinions shouldn’t matter” I really like this. I always thought like this. I have created works of art as a child and I when I had mixed reactions from others, I was unfazed because the work is so personal to the artist, not everyone can view it with the same perspective or taste. Kudos to all artists. It is most important to love your own work and not look for validation outside.
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Yes, your knowledge that your art was true to you, regardless of others opinion is admirable. especially for a child. Kudos to you as well! And yes, absolutely and without a doubt, one must love one’s work and love the work one does as an artist (or just about any other profession as well). As an artist I am always grateful for good reviews but I do not create art specifically for that purpose.
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Wow not creating for something just for good reviews, shows great strength. Keep going strong 👍
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Thank you!
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You are welcome!
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