Laura O'Keefe
‘Metropolis and Crowdsourcing’ 2026. ‘Metropolis’: Oil on wood, Perspex, 80cm x 54cm. ‘Crowdsourcing’: Acrylic on aluminium, 90cm x 60cm.
Artist statement
Laura is utilising a post-digital painting practice to reveal the extent to which digital algorithms have the power to shape and influence our collective perception. Being 8 years old when iPhones first hit the market, she has watched algorithmic influence become almost inescapable in contemporary life, growing exponentially more targeted, addictive and ubiquitous by design with the integration of AI.
Algorithms calibrate to our identities and extract and commodify our personal data, with legislation far behind when it comes to authorship, privacy and addiction. Laura is grappling with our daily comprehension of this pervasive power in her studio Honours year.
Photographs: Anna Kucera
Acknowledgement of Country
91É«ÇéƬ School of Art & Design stands on an important place of learning and exchange first occupied by the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples.
We acknowledge the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land that our students and staff share, create and operate on. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples across Australia. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
