HP Innovation Issue 19: Fall 2021 | Page 81

ARTXV , a digital community for neurodiverse artists , after discovering the incredible talents of her sister Tara , who has autism and is nonverbal . When a notable London gallery declined to accept Tara ’ s work , Halvai decided to create a platform where artists like her sister could make a viable income by selling their work as NFTs , unique digital creations that can be verified and tracked on the blockchain .
“ The traditional art world has been exclusionary and completely inaccessible for disabled artists for far too long ,” she says . “ NFTs can help to break down this barrier , opening up new opportunities for artists to increase exposure and , most importantly , gain financial independence .”
The platform handles everything except the actual creation of the art — including the promotional , logistical , and technical aspects of selling NFTs .
“ NFTs present a unique offering , leveraging emerging technology to enable artists to sell their work across global frontiers in a format with unique properties ,” says Caleb Lewis , who creates pen-and-ink stippling drawings — an art form that involves meticulously placing tiny dots close together in order to form complex , detailed images .
Technology also makes it possible for creators in underrepresented communities — or even who just happen to live outside major hubs like New York or LA — to connect with prospective clients .
Sheridan has seen this phenomenon firsthand . She ’ s found much more than a new source of revenue online — she ’ s forged valuable connections with fans and like-minded creatives around the globe . One collector purchased several pieces over the course of a three-day virtual art show , and the two have since formed a friendship . She ’ s even found a niche fan base in Nepal .
“ I was able to weave all these digital places together and create one giant community ,” she says . “ It ’ s been really dynamic and a lot of fun .”
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