Join us to celebrate our newest gallery exhibit!
Stephen Haynes // Portaits of People That Don’t Exist
Friday August 16 6P-8P
Portraits of People That Don’t Exist
In 2020, artist Stephen Haynes began making small oil sketches based on images produced by
the website, thispersondoesnotexist.com. Leveraging StyleGAN, a machine learning AI, the
website crafts singular, realistic-looking snapshots of faces. Drawing upon a vast dataset, the
website can produce an infinite supply of authentic looking images with every refresh of the
browser window.
After several years producing over 1,000 images, Haynes began thinking more broadly about AI
and its ability to create enormous amounts of imagery. What had taken the artist many months
to produce could, in theory, take an AI model minutes, or hours, given the proper dataset. This
stark asymmetry in productivity prompted Haynes to explore the implications and nuances of
human-made artistry within an environment increasingly inundated with artificially generated
imagery.
Seeking to encapsulate the essence of these artificially generated images and the dynamics of
his interaction with them, Haynes embarked on the creation of four mixed media pieces. Each
artwork was meticulously crafted from four distinct portraits, analogously akin to assembling a
curated “dataset.” Within each of these “datasets,” 196 individual 3×3” squares emerged, each
painted on one of four depths of substrate ranging from 1⁄4” to 1-½.”
The resultant final compositions, titled “Portraits of People That Don’t Exist,” present a
compelling amalgamation of disparate yet interconnected elements. Through the arrangement
of these “dataset” images, Haynes orchestrates not only a visual mosaic of diverse portraits but
also an undulating topography, courtesy of the varied depths of substrate. The images strive to
evoke the semblance of a human countenance, inviting viewers to discern familiar features
while tantalizingly withholding absolute clarity, much like the pixel-building process of AI models.
The labor-intensive process of planning, cutting, painting, and assembling yields images that
teeter on the edge of recognition, evoking a sense of tantalizing ambiguity. Despite their roots in
AI-derived imagery, these artworks remain resolutely analog, celebrating imperfection and
tactility. Through “Portraits of People That Don’t Exist,” Stephen Haynes invites audiences to
ponder the interplay between technology and traditional artistry, and to contemplate the elusive
nature of identity and perception in an increasingly digitized world
the website, thispersondoesnotexist.com. Leveraging StyleGAN, a machine learning AI, the
website crafts singular, realistic-looking snapshots of faces. Drawing upon a vast dataset, the
website can produce an infinite supply of authentic looking images with every refresh of the
browser window.
After several years producing over 1,000 images, Haynes began thinking more broadly about AI
and its ability to create enormous amounts of imagery. What had taken the artist many months
to produce could, in theory, take an AI model minutes, or hours, given the proper dataset. This
stark asymmetry in productivity prompted Haynes to explore the implications and nuances of
human-made artistry within an environment increasingly inundated with artificially generated
imagery.
Seeking to encapsulate the essence of these artificially generated images and the dynamics of
his interaction with them, Haynes embarked on the creation of four mixed media pieces. Each
artwork was meticulously crafted from four distinct portraits, analogously akin to assembling a
curated “dataset.” Within each of these “datasets,” 196 individual 3×3” squares emerged, each
painted on one of four depths of substrate ranging from 1⁄4” to 1-½.”
The resultant final compositions, titled “Portraits of People That Don’t Exist,” present a
compelling amalgamation of disparate yet interconnected elements. Through the arrangement
of these “dataset” images, Haynes orchestrates not only a visual mosaic of diverse portraits but
also an undulating topography, courtesy of the varied depths of substrate. The images strive to
evoke the semblance of a human countenance, inviting viewers to discern familiar features
while tantalizingly withholding absolute clarity, much like the pixel-building process of AI models.
The labor-intensive process of planning, cutting, painting, and assembling yields images that
teeter on the edge of recognition, evoking a sense of tantalizing ambiguity. Despite their roots in
AI-derived imagery, these artworks remain resolutely analog, celebrating imperfection and
tactility. Through “Portraits of People That Don’t Exist,” Stephen Haynes invites audiences to
ponder the interplay between technology and traditional artistry, and to contemplate the elusive
nature of identity and perception in an increasingly digitized world
Stephen Haynes
Multidisciplinary Artist and Illustrator
Irwin, Pennsylvania
Stephen Haynes is a versatile artist and illustrator whose artistic exploration has been shaped
by a rich tapestry of experiences spanning both coasts of the United States. Born in Charleston,
West Virginia, and raised amidst the vibrant surf, skateboard, and punk cultures of ’80s and ’90s
southern California, Haynes’s art reflects the colorful and dynamic influences of his upbringing.
Equipped with an Associates Degree in Visual Communications from the Art Institute of
Pittsburgh, Haynes is adept at navigating various artistic mediums. Hayne’s work showcases a
distinctive blend of expressive oil painting and vibrant illustrations, characterized by bold colors,
thick impasto brushwork, and a childlike spontaneity. In his paintings, Haynes captures the
essence of emotion and energy, while his illustrations draw inspiration from the world of comics,
hinting at his ambition to create a series of comic books in the future.
Haynes’s artistic expression was catalyzed by his involvement in the punk and DIY scenes of
Ventura, California, where he found himself immersed in a culture of creativity and rebellion.
Summers spent in West Virginia further deepened his connection to the natural landscape and
Appalachian heritage, influencing the thematic elements of his work.
With over two decades of experience in graphic design, Haynes has left an indelible mark on
the field, notably serving as Art Director for Rotating Mass Media, publishers of Bicycle Times
and Dirt Rag magazines, from 2010 to 2020.
Haynes’s artistic achievements have earned him recognition and acclaim, including Honorable
Mentions at prestigious events such as Plein Air Easton Quick Draw and Rivertowns Plein Air.
His short film, “Black and White and Hot All Over,” garnered the Best in Show award from
Academy Art Museum’s 24 Hour Video Race, further solidifying his standing as a talented visual
storyteller.
Currently represented by the esteemed Trippe Gallery in Easton, Maryland, Haynes continues
to captivate audiences with his vibrant and evocative artwork. With each brushstroke and
illustration, he invites viewers to journey alongside him through a world of boundless creativity
and imagination.
Haynes’s work can be found in numerous private collections, a testament to the enduring impact
of his art on those who encounter it.
Multidisciplinary Artist and Illustrator
Irwin, Pennsylvania
Stephen Haynes is a versatile artist and illustrator whose artistic exploration has been shaped
by a rich tapestry of experiences spanning both coasts of the United States. Born in Charleston,
West Virginia, and raised amidst the vibrant surf, skateboard, and punk cultures of ’80s and ’90s
southern California, Haynes’s art reflects the colorful and dynamic influences of his upbringing.
Equipped with an Associates Degree in Visual Communications from the Art Institute of
Pittsburgh, Haynes is adept at navigating various artistic mediums. Hayne’s work showcases a
distinctive blend of expressive oil painting and vibrant illustrations, characterized by bold colors,
thick impasto brushwork, and a childlike spontaneity. In his paintings, Haynes captures the
essence of emotion and energy, while his illustrations draw inspiration from the world of comics,
hinting at his ambition to create a series of comic books in the future.
Haynes’s artistic expression was catalyzed by his involvement in the punk and DIY scenes of
Ventura, California, where he found himself immersed in a culture of creativity and rebellion.
Summers spent in West Virginia further deepened his connection to the natural landscape and
Appalachian heritage, influencing the thematic elements of his work.
With over two decades of experience in graphic design, Haynes has left an indelible mark on
the field, notably serving as Art Director for Rotating Mass Media, publishers of Bicycle Times
and Dirt Rag magazines, from 2010 to 2020.
Haynes’s artistic achievements have earned him recognition and acclaim, including Honorable
Mentions at prestigious events such as Plein Air Easton Quick Draw and Rivertowns Plein Air.
His short film, “Black and White and Hot All Over,” garnered the Best in Show award from
Academy Art Museum’s 24 Hour Video Race, further solidifying his standing as a talented visual
storyteller.
Currently represented by the esteemed Trippe Gallery in Easton, Maryland, Haynes continues
to captivate audiences with his vibrant and evocative artwork. With each brushstroke and
illustration, he invites viewers to journey alongside him through a world of boundless creativity
and imagination.
Haynes’s work can be found in numerous private collections, a testament to the enduring impact
of his art on those who encounter it.
