about

Micah Rustichelli

Memes, art, news, narcissism, all happening every day all the time on social platforms, and now, all ripe for theft. Demon Rhythm is an exhibition project by Micah Rustichelli in which the artist has committed to painting 1000 images from their recommended feed on Instagram. In November of 2022 Rustichelli had their artworks used to train an AI image generator to imitate their work. Following this experience, the artist began the process of painting 1000 images stolen from other users on Instagram, in an attempt to quantify artistic labour against artificial output. The project challenges the value of image consumption as well as image ownership and authority on social media, after all who reads the terms and conditions anyway?

Melt Development Program is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland

Presented by Micah Rustichelli

"From provocative depictions of drag performers to sexually charged scenes, from internet memes to dark humour, Rustichelli's canvases captured a spectrum of human experience. Through this array of visual narratives, the artist delved into the complexities of contemporary culture, inviting viewers to confront societal taboos and norms." - stage whispers