Hello and welcome to my page, I am a Visual Artist
Roo Buchan is an artist hailing from Corpus Christi, Texas, who has embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery and artistic exploration. With a background in studying gender, race, sexuality, and social justice at UBC, Roo's artistic practice is rooted in symbolic expression and the exploration of identity. Amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic, Roo found refuge in a serene and intimate setting—a small town where he worked on a farm. Immersed in nature, Roo's confidence in his evolving gender identity grew, and he discovered a renewed sense of direction. It was during this period that Roo decided to pursue a teaching program at SFU, aiming to merge his two greatest passions: helping people and creating art. Roo’s lifelong goal is to empower students and provide them with the tools and encouragement needed to unlock their full artistic potential. His journey of self-discovery, combined with a commitment to social justice and the integration of technology in meaningful ways, fuels his artistic practice, ensuring a dynamic and ever-evolving body of work. Through his outsider art, Roo Buchan seeks to challenge norms, spark conversations, and inspire individuals to embrace their own unique identities and creative expressions. With each artistic endeavor, Roo continues to carve his path as a lifelong artist and passionate educator.
Contact Details
Buchan, Roo
Burnaby, BC, Canada
Samples of my work
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Artist Statement
In our modern age, technology has become an integral part of our lives, garnering everyone’s attention. Embracing this ever-evolving landscape, I have discovered a captivating tool for artistic exploration in the realm of AI technology. The limitless creativity offered by AI art generators such as DALL-E 2 has resonated deeply with my students, as well as with myself. Drawing inspiration from the boundless possibilities of AI technology, my latest collection, simulaicrum, captures the essence of this fusion between human creativity and artificial intelligence. The title itself encapsulates the concept that art has always been derived from a simulacrum of accumulated ideas—a reflection of the communal aspect of art making. My artistic process in these works revolves around the harmonious interplay of AI technology and the human hand. I begin by experimenting with DALL-E 2, generating a multitude of images that carry their own distinct essence. From these digital abstractions, I embark on a personal journey, reimagining them through the traditional mediums of pencil, alcohol markers, acrylic paint and my own hands. Each artwork becomes a unique intersection where the capabilities of AI converge with human creation. The result is a collection that blurs the boundaries between the digital and the analog, inviting viewers to question their preconceived notions of creativity, art, and the role of technology in the artistic process. simulaicrum serves as a testament to the transformative power of embracing both traditional artistic practices and present-day technology. I aim to ignite a dialogue surrounding the evolving nature of creativity and the potential that lies within the fusion of AI and human artistic expression.