For a brief moment, while standing in front of a Grant Yun piece, time seems to slow. An atmosphere calms, and colors seem more certain. His signature aesthetic, what he calls “vectorized realism,” invites stillness in without sacrificing complexity. In his recent London-based exhibition at Fellowship named “SPACES,” (April 22–May 16), Yun expanded upon that visual language through a deeper meditation on memory, history, and the digital tools that define our era.
Inside Grant Yun’s Creative Practice
Courtesy of Grant Yun.
“I’ve always described my art as vectorized realism,” the artist said. “My work began as a digital artist inspired by realist painters from the early 1900s. But as a digitally native artist in the 21st century, I felt it was important to explore realism using the tools of today—creating objective compositions with subjective undertones.”
“I felt it was important to explore realism using the tools of today—creating objective compositions with subjective undertones,”
—Grant Yun
This friction between objectivity and subjectivity, past and present, sits at the heart of “SPACES.” A continuation of his contemplative style, the series also marks an evolution. “Each generation is faced with technological innovation that changes how we live,” Yun continued. “We’re seeing that now with automation and AI. As artists, I think we have a responsibility to document that.”
Digitally Painting the American Landscape
Courtesy of Grant Yun.
Raised in Silicon Valley and based in Wisconsin, Yun’s compositions pull from across the American landscape, distilling architecture, industry, and minimalism into crisp, contemplative forms. “My work lies on a pendulum between the purely minimal and the photorealistic,” he shared. “The choice to include detail—or omit it—is always about the message I want to convey. Sometimes, less really does reach more.”
Originally, Yun imagined his work inside hospital walls, a balm for patients and caregivers alike. That spirit of calm has endured. “We live in a time of constant information. I want my work to offer a pause, a moment to breathe. Art that’s accessible, emotionally and visually, for a wide range of people.”
“I want my work to offer a pause, a moment to breathe. Art that’s accessible, emotionally and visually, for a wide range of people,”
—Grant Yun
Courtesy of Grant Yun.
At Fellowship, a platform known for its curation of digital art with purpose, Yun found more than a gallery; he found partners in clarity. “The team at Fellowship, especially Alejandro, helped me dig deeper into my intent. Not just the ‘what,’ but the ‘why.’ They pushed me to be more intentional, and that’s visible in every piece.”
Technology isn’t just a subject in Yun’s work, but it’s part of its very DNA. Blockchain, for Yun, is both a tool and a metaphor. “Blockchain is culture,” he insisted. “We’re documenting history in real time, whether we realize it or not. Just like painters did centuries ago, except now we’re using ledgers instead of linen.”
Courtesy of Grant Yun.
In his work, Americana doesn’t feel nostalgic, it feels sharpened. Grain silos and overpasses, sun-washed skies and still highways—they’re rendered in Yun’s signature style with reverence and restraint. “We all see the sky. We all feel joy, sadness, loneliness. These are the ideas I try to convey. They’re universal.”
Propelling Digital Art and an Idea of Legacy
Courtesy of Grant Yun.
While David Hockney and Edward Hopper were early influences, Yun’s current inspiration comes from two places: the community of digital artists he counts as peers and the enduring clarity of Georgia O’Keeffe. A recent trip to New Mexico, where he visited her studio and the landscapes she painted, left a profound mark. “It helped me step into her shoes. To see how she translated the world around her into something lasting.”
When asked whether digital art is finally getting its due, Yun doesn’t hesitate. “Not even close,” he says. “There’s still so much work to be done. Digital creators—especially those working in fine art contexts—are still a tiny part of the larger conversation. But that’s why we keep going. We’re building the legacy now.” And legacy, for Yun, is the long game. “Longevity is leaving something behind that others can reference. Just like we look to the past for inspiration, someone in the future might look to us.”
Courtesy of Grant Yun.
In “SPACES,” Yun doesn’t just document America’s changing landscape, he stakes a claim in its cultural terrain. With clarity, quietude, and conviction, he’s making the case that digital art isn’t the future. It’s the present—and it’s worth remembering.
