Facetune Portraits contemplates the near-ubiquitous contemporary practice of digital, AI-enabled body modification. Weaving conceptual and practical threads from traditions in both generative art and traditional portraiture, Gretchen Andrew creates oil paintings that examine changing perceptions of beauty in the algorithmic age.

Algorithmic filters—readily available on social media platforms and video communication tools—promise a more ‘appealing’ version of ourselves. Gretchen challenges this ideal by employing custom-built robotics to physically apply ‘beautifying’ algorithms on to wet oil paintings.

For her portraits at Gray Area, Gretchen worked with images of herself and celebrity figure Kim Kardashian. After using a special oil paint printer developed by Matr Labs to create each subject in paint, Gretchen uses her custom robotics to transform the image—applying a machinic stroke to paint algorithmic ‘beautifying’ changes to the subject’s appearance. The resulting Facetune Portraits render visible the dissonance between our natural state and the technologically-perfected image, coexisting uncomfortably on the canvas.

Each unique, one-of-one painting is available for sale. Please direct all inquiries to [email protected].

Gallery Hours: Saturday, February 1 – Sunday, February 2, 12 – 4PM
Opening Night: Thursday, January 23, 4 – 8PM