Artist Interview: Stacie Ant
A fascinating journey from playing The Sims to creating spectacular digital art – Stacie Ant is a digital artist and curator who’s work is known for its humorous and satirical approach to social commentary on the fast-paced digital lifestyle of the modern world. Creating AR works and 3D animation art, she explores digital worlds and beings that can only exist in the virtual realm.
The artist has collaborated with major fashion brands such as Adidas, Nike, and Adrianna Hot Couture, and her personal work has been exhibited internationally at prestigious events including Miami Art Basel, Milan Fashion Week, and SXSW.
We asked Stacie about her art, creative process, and inspirations.
Digital Art by Stacie Ant: HUMANOID
Can you tell us about your background as a digital artist? How did you get started in this field?
I began my journey into digital art through playing "The Sims" as a child. Starting with the original game, I was captivated by the process of creating characters. I had access to the Sims creator, where I experimented with designing my own Sims. This included superimposing a photo of my face onto an existing mesh and attempting to create outfits using MS Paint. This sparked my love for playing dress-up, taking photos, and watching my friends do the same, as we crafted short stories and scenarios together.
Digital Art by Stacie Ant: HUMANOID
I pursued art studies at OCAD University in Toronto, specializing in digital art as my formal education. There, I had the opportunity to play dress-up in front of a legitimate green screen, complemented by professional lighting and cameras. After graduating, I taught myself 3D art because I no longer had access to such equipment, and I wanted to create my own characters, sets, and scenarios. I have been a full-time self-employed artist since 2019, although I graduated in 2016 and have been active in the art scene as an exhibiting artist and curator since 2012.
Digital Art by Stacie Ant: Still from Cyborg Love
What inspires your art? Are there any particular themes or subjects that you enjoy exploring through your artwork?
My work is characterized by humor and biographical elements, drawing inspiration from inside jokes with friends, my upbringing, and the films and shows I've been watching, all presented through my unique artistic perspective. The prevalent themes of the occult and aliens in my art serve as a satirical reflection on my childhood. Growing up, my parents had a keen interest in UFOs and ancient alien theories, exposing me to this world from a young age. Now, I interpret those experiences through my work, creating over-the-top sci-fi and glamorized depictions of aliens in high fashion. Additionally, I explore pop culture with a humorous twist, exemplified by creations like the Britney, Paris, Lindsay Instagram Face filter. My goal is to bring the topics my friends and I discuss to a wider audience, and, remarkably, I've managed to build a career around it!
Digital Art by Stacie Ant: The Devil
What is an event which you consider a milestone in your digital art career?
I've experienced several notable milestones! The most recent was being invited to speak in front of 400 people at an Adobe event, where I represented the digital art community of my city. I'm also incredibly honored to have won the Best Animation of the Year award and to have had the opportunity to exhibit and speak at both NFT NYC and Miami Art Basel in the same year. Additionally, I've had the pleasure of showcasing my work at prestigious institutions such as the Nxt Museum, the Design Museum of Den Bosch, Superchief Gallery, and SXSW. Collaborating with some of my favorite brands, like Nike and Adidas, has been a dream come true. Another significant achievement has been establishing my own business, Chroma Link Collective.
Digital Art by Stacie Ant: HUMANOID
Can you tell us about Chroma Link Collective and your upcoming show, Hori7ons?
Chroma Link Collective is my latest endeavor, serving as a hybrid of a curatorial platform, art studio, and event organization company. Chroma Link represents my way of contributing to my community. Having reached a certain level in my career as a solo artist, I'm now eager to shift direction slightly and create opportunities for other artists. This is the mission behind Chroma Link Collective.
Though this project is only a few months old, I've already had the chance to curate an AR exhibition during Berlin Pride, participate in an activation at Miami Art Basel, and recently, I was involved in the World Economic Forum. My role primarily revolves around curating a group of artists and integrating their work into events. I'm passionate about supporting the creative community and have collaborated with various creators internationally.
Digital Art by Stacie Ant: Still from Gnome Shoe
Hori7ons represents a significant milestone for me. It encapsulates all the experience I've gained from living in Berlin and exhibiting internationally, and brings it to my current base in Vancouver. Despite the abundance of talented digital artists in the city, there are limited opportunities for them to showcase their work outside the gaming and film industry. In my opinion, Vancouver's art scene is still overly traditional.
Hori7ons will be a pioneering group exhibition, the first of its kind. We are seven artists transforming a vast space into a 360 interactive video installation. The exhibition will also include performance art and interactive AI-powered 3D avatars, offering a multimedia experience that addresses the theme of technology's impact on modern culture—a theme that allows for extensive exploration. The seven artists involved, including myself, come from a variety of backgrounds, from motion graphics and documentary filmmaking to animation. We all share a passion for experimental technology and are exploring new storytelling methods.
Tarot Deck by Stacie Ant
We love the pool-themed tarot deck you created – can you tell us a little about how it came to be?
Collaborating with Tropez in Berlin has been a highlight of my career. A few years back, I conducted an AR workshop there, and our collaboration was so successful that they invited me to design a tarot deck for their recent exhibition titled "belief". This project was both enjoyable and challenging.
Tarot Deck by Stacie Ant
Before this collaboration, a lot of my work was controversially hyper-sexual and didn't resonate with a broader audience. Tropez presented me with the challenge of adapting my art style to be more inclusive and family-friendly. This project led to a significant transformation in my art style. I aimed for the tarot imagery to be playful, positive, and stylized, yet non-provocative. I explored wholesome interpretations of the major arcana, eventually creating doll-like characters that I fell in love with and plan to continue developing.
Tarot Deck by Stacie Ant
I have two little sisters (8 and 6 years old) here in Vancouver, who are thrilled that their big sis is an artist. They're always eager to see my animations, which has influenced my approach to creating new work. Now, I take a moment to consider whether my art is something I would feel comfortable sharing with them.
Digital Art by Stacie Ant: Still from Dancing Alien
You’re actively participating in conferences and panels — how would you say these discussions and speaking engagements have an impact on your art practice?
Having been immersed in the art scene for quite some time, I find myself growing weary of the constant computer work. I have a wealth of thoughts on fine art, technology, and the cultural influence of digital media that I'm eager to share. Engaging with people through public speaking has become a source of enjoyment for me. I appreciate the opportunity to share my experiences and perspectives during solo talks, and I even welcome the challenge to my views when participating in panels. What I cherish most, however, is the moment after a talk when an emerging artist approaches me with questions or seeks guidance. Sharing my knowledge with them, to assist in navigating the rewarding yet occasionally perplexing path of an artistic career, is incredibly fulfilling.
Digital Art by Stacie Ant: Still from Chasing Ghosts
What is a fun fact about you?
“I had every expansion pack for the Sims and Sims 2.”
Digital Art by Stacie Ant: Still from Borghead
What would we most probably find you doing if not creating art?
Being outdoors in nature! Ever since I relocated to Vancouver, I am really loving the outdoors life. I live in the rainforest, 4-minute walk to the ocean! So when I am not making art, I meditate on the beach, walk around the lush forest, go up into the mountains, and enjoy this absolutely breathtaking city!
Digital Art by Stacie Ant: HUMANOID
