Digital Art Commissions: Collaborations between Artists and Brand
Sugar Glider Digital facilitates artwork commissions to help our clients receive project-specific and bespoke work and to utilise art as a mode of expressing ideas and values.
Commissions encourage growth in an artist’s practice, demanding a level of both critical and lateral thinking to provide a creative solution to a brief.
What is a brief? And what does it mean to artists?
A brief is a set of intentions expressed by someone commissioning an artwork. It communicates the ideas, values and objectives they would like to see realised. A brief will include concepts, taste preferences, requirements & parameters and the purpose of the art piece. A brief can be flexible and broad or very detailed and specific depending on the requirements for the project. This is where the creative freedom and vision of an artist has the opportunity to thrive and amaze.
The commissioned artist will decide what tools, techniques and skills they will use to fulfil the brief. They will draw from their talents, experience and unique vision to communicate the ideas of the brief and bring it to life. Artists will lean on their strengths and will also challenge, experiment and expand their artistic skills.
Commissioning is a form of collaboration
Collaboration and purpose are at the core of every commissioned artwork. Clients get to see their ideas realised by someone who has unique artistic expression and skill. The outcomes are more meaningful, personal and purposeful for the client. The true value of commissioning is in the realisation of a set intention and purpose of the artwork.
‘Space - Ocean Continuum’ by Stefania Shevchenko
ISPT, 100 Creek Street. Brisbane
In line with ISPT’s request to reflect iconic elements of Queensland, Shevchenko utilises images of coral, seaweed, the ocean and particularly jellyfish which can be found along Queensland’s coastline.
We had a quick chat with Stef Schevchenko, one of our Sugar Glider Digital Artists on fulfilling briefs for commissioned artworks:
How does a brief inform, expand or challenge your artist’s practice?
‘I see clients as another collaborator to the artwork. A brief gives my art practice purpose and asks me to explore a concept to devise a narrative. I find briefs freeing - when I overcome the initial thoughts of “do I produce a literal response to the brief” and start to explore conceptually, I begin to unlock the possibilities of the artwork.’
What is the most valuable thing a client can include in their brief?
‘ Clarity on what they hope as an outcome of the artwork. What is their vision for the piece? Are you after intrigue? Then I’ll create something that reveals itself to the viewer. Give me the specifics that are non-negotiable so I know what to create for you.’
What do you enjoy most about commissioned artworks?
‘It gives me a platform! They allow me to be an artist!’
The role of the agency in commissioning
As an art agency, we are responsible for being the middleman between a commissioner and an artist. An agency is the creative translator, knowing the language to communicate the ideas of a client to an artist to ensure the delivery of a desired outcome. We know how to get in touch with artists and engage the right artist to best fulfil a brief.
Our aim is to mitigate risks for a client by following a proven process of delivery that is bespoke, unique and effective. We offer a time-saving and well documented end-to end implementation.
We establish relationships with both our artists and clients to establish a common objective for the three parties. We give artists opportunities to work on projects they may not otherwise have access to and assist in articulating the expectations and requirements of a client.
It is our job to share the intentions of both our clients and our artists to produce commissioned artwork that is purposeful, effective and celebrated.
‘Tsuris’ by Matt Schembri
ISPT, 100 Creek Street. Brisbane
To reflect the iconic Queensland element: rainforest, Schembri transforms elements sourced from actual natural environments in a video game style, successfully creating a meditative rainforest within the busy Brisbane city office environment.