The Intersection of Art and Technology: Audrey-Eve Goulet Embraces Robotic Replication for Artistry and Income
The Intersection of Art and Technology: Audrey-Eve Goulet and Acrylic Robotics
In August 2025, Montreal-based artist Audrey-Eve Goulet found herself watching a remarkable spectacle: an AI-powered robotic arm meticulously recreating one of her renowned artworks. Captured in an awe-inspiring moment alongside the robot and reported by Daphné Lemelin, Goulet’s experience illustrates the complex but evolving relationship between art and technology.
The Artistic Encounter with AI
Goulet initially felt a blend of skepticism and curiosity as she observed the robotic arm engaging in the artistic process. "I was surprised, in a good way,” she remarked, as the robot deftly dipped its brush into paint and replicated her work stroke by stroke. Adapting to a world increasingly populated by technological interventions, artists like Goulet are being faced with new avenues and challenges in their creative journeys.
Acrylic Robotics: Empowering Artists
The collaboration stemmed from Acrylic Robotics, a Montreal-based company founded by Chloe Ryan. Frustrated by her own struggles to achieve a sustainable income from her art, Ryan envisioned a solution that would not only ease her workload but also benefit her fellow artists. “I did the back of the napkin math, and I said, ‘Oh my god, I’m making $2 an hour,’” she recalled. This realization sparked a quest to harness robotics to create high-quality replicas of artworks, complete with the artist’s consent.
Capturing the Essence of Art
As Goulet assessed the robotic rendition of her piece, she acknowledged its remarkable fidelity: “It truly looks like one of my works.” Yet, she also pointed out a vital distinction: while the robot captured technical execution, it lacked the emotional depth imbued in her original art. “My final piece might have gone through five lives before getting to this, but the robot only sees the last layer,” she explained. Ryan underscored the significance of “stroke chronology” in replicating an artwork, asserting that the technology could encapsulate the aura of a piece far better than a mere photograph could.
Creating New Opportunities
Ryan’s vision extends beyond simple reproduction. She aims to create an on-demand market allowing clients to request tailored artworks, blending their inspirations with esteemed styles, like a custom portrait of their pet in the manner of a beloved artist. Her company’s structured approach ensures that artists maintain control and receive fair compensation, adhering to the crucial tenets of consent, credit, and compensation.
Interest among artists has surged, with Acrylic Robotics boasting a waitlist of over 500 artists eager to benefit from this innovative technology. The pricing of reproductions varies, with artists earning a percentage that correlates with their prominence and past sales.
The Bigger Picture: Artistic Value and Technological Impact
Yet, the rise of such technology sparks debate within the artistic community regarding the value of art itself. Michael Kearns, a computer and information science professor, raised concerns about the implications of turning unique pieces into easily replicable works. While he understands the push for technological advancements that support artists, he questions how these developments might alter public perceptions of value in the art world.
Conclusion: A New Canvas
Audrey-Eve Goulet’s experience with Acrylic Robotics is emblematic of the broader dialogue taking place at the crossroads of art and technology. As innovative solutions arise, they will continue to challenge traditional notions of creativity and value, redefining what it means to be an artist in the 21st century. With a blend of hope, apprehension, and ambition, artists are beginning to navigate this new landscape, armed with both brushes and robotics. The future of art is not merely digital or manual; it is a harmonious fusion of the two.