Resilient Spirit
The Artwork of Steve Gleason
No Tree Can Grow to Heaven, Unless its Roots Reach to Hell
“I’ve always considered myself an artist and craftsman in many ways. Using these technologies to help create visual expressions of art is a new creative pathway for me and others to express themselves.”
Former professional football player Steve Gleason was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2011. The progressive neurodegenerative disease has robbed him of his muscle function, including his ability to draw with a pencil. However, he has found a new way to express his creativity through AI-generated artwork.
Gleason's AI-generated artwork series, named "Resilient Spirit," is currently on display in New Orleans at The Nieux located at 2040 St. Charles Avenue. The pieces are filled with vivid colors and symbolism, demonstrating AI technology's immense artistic potential. For instance, one of the pieces named "No Tree Can Grow to Heaven, Unless its Roots Reach to Hell" (above) depicts a tree with roots that extend into the magma below the earth's surface, with a dream-like sky in the background. To create his digital images, Gleason used Adobe's Firefly suite of generative AI tools and an eye-level "keyboard" attached to his wheelchair that converts eye movements into text prompts. Firefly allows the AI to "learn" from Gleason's prior art and create new pieces based on his style. Gleason, who is now 47, is experiencing a renewed sense of creativity and artistic expression through AI technology.
Gleason's art serves as a testament to the incredible potential of AI technology to unlock new forms of creativity. In the past, artists with disabilities may have been limited in their ability to create art due to physical limitations. However, AI technology is changing the game by providing an accessible, intuitive tool for artists with disabilities to express themselves.
The use of AI in art is not without controversy, as some argue that it detracts from the authenticity of the creative process. However, Gleason's story shows that AI can be a valuable tool for artists and can help to break down barriers to creativity.
Overall, Steve Gleason's story is a remarkable example of resilience and creativity in the face of adversity. His AI-generated artwork is a testament to the power of technology to unlock new possibilities for artists, and it serves as an inspiration to all of us to push the limits of what is possible.
