In the dynamic sphere of contemporary art, few creators merge a deep respect for historical legacies with the forward thrust of innovation as Ada Crow does. Based in the scenic Asturias, Spain, Ada’s journey spans art history, curatorial experience, and diverse creative methods, from photography and oil painting to pioneering AI and NFT spaces. Her art, influenced by surrealism, Dadaism, and Flemish traditions, reflects both personal introspection and universal themes of identity, memory, and human complexity.
Drawing from her own life experiences, Ada explores how art can transcend temporal boundaries, offering viewers a glimpse into her "inner world" while sparking universal connections. Her adoption of AI technology has expanded her artistic vocabulary, allowing her to reimagine and reinterpret classical motifs through new digital lenses. Through exhibitions in major cultural hubs like New York, Paris, and Rome, Ada is making waves worldwide and redefining the relationship between artist and audience in the digital age.
In this interview, we delve into her creative philosophy, the transformative moments that shaped her work, and her thoughts on art's evolving place in a world where technology and creativity intersect like never before.
A: How have your studies in art history and your experience as a curator influenced your transition into digital and multimedia art? Are there specific techniques or perspectives from traditional art that you reinterpret digitally?
AC: They gave me a foundation and a way of seeing connections between eras and styles. I draw a lot from what I’ve learned, especially from how the Surrealists and Dadaists broke norms. I like to bring that into the digital realm: playing with compositions and scenes that sometimes seem impossible but come to life in this context.
A: What initially attracted you to NFTs, and how did entering the digital art market transform your relationship with your work and your audience?
AC: NFTs hooked me because they gave me a way to create unique digital pieces. It was incredible to see the audience respond, connecting differently with my pieces, wanting to be part of the story and “own” that digital work. In the end, I felt like a door had opened to reach people from all over the world.
A: How has AI influenced your creative process? Have any unexpected challenges or discoveries come up when combining this technology with traditional artistic techniques?
AC: AI has changed my creative process a lot. At first, it was hard to give up control and let it “interpret” my ideas, but I realized that this often leads to amazing discoveries. Every time I use it, I feel like I’m playing with something unknown. It’s also challenging because the results aren’t always what I expect, but that’s where the most interesting things happen. The best thing I've experienced with AI is seeing how it interprets my photographs; it blew my mind for a while.
A: You’ve mentioned that artists evolve through their personal journeys. Could you share some specific experiences that have shaped your artistic journey and process over the years?
AC: Sure, one of the most important moments was when I had a stroke. It was a turning point; it made me rethink what I really wanted to do with my life. Since then, I think my work reflects that constant search for meaning, that exploration of our fragility and strength. That moment taught me a lot about how fleeting life can be, and in a way, it pushed me to focus on art as something essential.
A: Has AI allowed you to express aspects of your journey that traditional media couldn’t capture, or has it introduced themes and ideas that you wouldn’t have explored otherwise?
AC: AI has allowed me to approach certain themes, like fragmentation or identity, in much more experimental ways. With AI, I can play with reality in a more abstract way, creating scenes and characters that reflect human complexity in a way I couldn’t achieve with traditional techniques.
A: Your work often explores your “inner world.” What recurring themes or essential elements of the human experience are central to your art?
AC: My art explores a lot of identity, memory, and the ephemeral. I think, at its core, art helps us understand what we can’t always put into words. I believe that as artists, we make art to show those fragments of our minds that remain unspoken.
A: If you could describe one of your pieces in your own words, which one would you choose, and what would your description be?
AC: My favorite piece is always the latest one. Honestly, I don’t like describing my works. I think the magic of any piece is lost when the artist explains it. Art should be a visual language that invites the viewer to feel, without guiding them too much. Each person should find their own meaning in the work, because that’s where the art truly lives.
A: To get to know the woman behind the art: what hobbies or interests do you have outside your creative work?
AC: I’m a chess fanatic—I play whenever I can. I also love watching sports, especially my football team, Sporting de Gijón, and when I have some free time, I dive into books and documentaries about art history by the millions, haha.
A: Beyond your artistic work, have you explored other areas of the crypto world, like trading?
AC: Yes, that’s why I love the FC because it combines two of my passions: art and crypto. But I’m the worst trader ever—I should’ve held onto the ETH I bought for $40, haha.
A: How has your involvement in NFTs shaped your perspective on digital ownership, and how do you think it affects the relationship between artist and viewer?
AC: Digital ownership is one of the most fascinating things that NFTs have brought about. It’s special to me that the viewer has a closer connection to the work, which becomes something “theirs” in a new sense. It’s like owning an original, but in a virtual space, and that strengthens the bond between artist and collector.
A: As someone with experience in both traditional and digital media, what advice would you give to emerging artists wanting to integrate these realms?
AC: I’d tell them not to be afraid to experiment. There’s no single formula, and the journey is about trying, exploring, and finding what fits each person. Digital and traditional art can coexist, and the key is to find your own language.
A: What question do you wish I’d asked, but didn’t, and how would you answer it?
AC: “What would you do if you lost all your digital work overnight?”
I’d have a one-hour existential crisis and then get back to making art. Rising from my ashes like a phoenix is something I excel at, haha.
You can find more about Ada Crow following these links:
Above, Immersive digital art exhibition Surreal Baroque in Retro-Futuristic Dreams by Ada Crow at the ART IN SPACE GALLERY Dubai
