Allan & Illia NFT artist interview | NFT CULTURE | Web3 Culture NFTs and Crypto Art

by James · October 25, 2022

Table of Contents

Can you tell us about your background and what led you down the path to becoming an artist and eventually experimenting with NFTs?

I have been a full-time artist in Belgium since 2003. However, in recent years my focus has been directed towards more graphic work for companies. Realizing that I wanted my focus back on my artwork, I changed my artist name so that it would no longer be associated with my graphic work. This way I can start again after 20 years of experience.
I’ve always been fascinated by crypto, but it was only 4 to 5 years ago that I really got involved. When I heard about NFTs and the possibilities for digital artists like myself, I was completely sold on the idea.

When did you make your first NFT? Which platform did you choose and why?

In fact, I made my first NFT recently.
I experimented a bit with different blockchains and tried to avoid huge Ethereum gas fees, but nothing felt quite right. Until I came across Foundation.app
I love the feeling that everything is curated and carefully selected. Unlike Opensea, where I got the feeling, people just throw anything online and call it art, and the real artists get lost in the mess of people thinking about getting rich.

Can you tell us one thing you can’t live without? (and why)

My friends all think of me as a gadget freak, and I have to admit that I love new technology. But I have absolutely no love for any of my gadgets. For me, they are tools to a means and always interchangeable. So I guess what I can’t live without is family.

Who is your favorite artist(s) (Not NFT)? What about their style resonates with you

As a kid, my all-time favorite was Nam June Pike. He used television in his art installations. Warhol was my favorite 2D artist, and later I began to love installations by Bill Viola.

Who is your favorite NFT artist? What makes this artist unique?

Beep. Not because I love everything he does, but because his work opened the eyes of millions of people who now know that NFT is here to stay.

What made you pursue NFT art?

Ah! I am a digital artist. So for me to exhibit a work, I have to print it, frame it, transport it, hang it, … No, for me personally, I don’t even care if my works sell or not. They are now on the blockchain and will be there long after I am gone. It’s just amazing to think that your work is in the cloud and the whole world can see it.

What is the one NFT you wish you had bought but missed out on

I’m not interested in the monkeys or the tweets that were sold. I’m more interested in art NFTs. And it doesn’t matter what name is attached – if it’s a work that moves me, I wish I could buy it.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why this location?

India … I went there before, but the cleanliness in North India is absolutely incredible. Thailand is also on my list. I can understand that people love location because of the scenery, but I am more interested in the heritage, temples, etc…

What are your other passions besides art? Why?

Tech. Every day I am amazed by the new developments in technology. But they can also pose a threat. I’m talking about art and images generated by artificial intelligence. It will be very difficult in the future to distinguish a real and generated image. And while it can be a very pleasing image, I have trouble seeing pure ai-generated art as an art form.

Do you make other forms of art?

Previously I made some mixed media. Printing out one of my artworks and adding paint, varnish, gold and silver leaf etc…
I have created a road map for the coming year where I have also made plans for collaboration with other artists from other disciplines.

Are you self-taught or trained?

Mainly self-taught. You must know that I have been working with computers and creating digital art for over 20 years. There was no one around to teach you this.

How did you arrive at your specific style?

The influence of my parents. My father is a very famous artist in Belgium who makes oil paintings and drawings. My mother collects art. They took me from exhibitions to museums, art fairs and the Venice Biennale. All these impressions left a mark in the form of my own style.

How has your style evolved over the years?

It has matured and modernized. But I think it’s just normal development.

What is coming in the near future?

The road map is ready. By the end of this year I will start to stamp digital portrait works. These pieces will be more my own style because the NFTs I’m making right now are more of a learning process for me to find the right workflow.
Next year I will print a very limited edition of self-portraits and start collaborating with other artists.