Visible Hand: Alex Macedo

Visible Hand: Alex Macedo

High visibility! Meet the hands behind the artworks in the Invisible Hand exhibition. The exhibition closes this Sunday, 8 October. You can visit it daily from 10:00 to 18:00. We asked 10 artists 10 questions: on their work, views, and vibes. Here’s Alex Macedo:

What sells?
It depends on a lot of factors. One key question for me is: “Who's your audience?” Am I producing for personal satisfaction, social media, friends, a particular niche, institutions, or commercial galleries? I guess there is no one-size-fits-all formula though, at least not that I know of.

What is the worst advice you've ever been given about the art world?
This was a funny one. Someone once suggested that I stick to painting flowers because “they sell!” (apparently). I avoid it now.

What’s the most decisive moment of your career?
I hope it is yet to come.

Do you fear AI? Is it coming for your job?
No, I don't think I fear AI. I would say that we're currently in a phase similar to when the internet first emerged, and there were concerns that it might disrupt the world as we knew it. It certainly brought big changes, but it didn't necessarily destroy everything. With AI, I see a similar scenario. It's here, and there's not much we can do to change that fact. The best approach, in my view, is to stay informed about its developments and find ways to use it to our advantage.

Did you feel the great vibe shift of 2022, did it affect you?
I didn't feel any vibe shift at all.

What do you identify as?
he/him

Who’s your current art crush?
Sara Sadik.

What’s your favourite colour?
Baby blue.

When did you know you were an artist?
This would be the moment where I would have to say: Since I was a child… I don't want to say it.

What do you think about the Mona Lisa?
It's a nice painting. I don’t think much about it though.