Meet Per Kristian Stoveland
Per Kristian Stoveland, aka perkwerk, is a generative artist based in Oslo, Norway and the founder of Void Design Studio. The idea of generative art coupled with blockchain technology draw him into the NFT space in 2021. In January 2023 he successfully released a massively appreciated generative art collection on Art Blocks Curated. The collection, ‘The Harvest’, rapidly gained attention and attraction from collectors across the world. Three weeks following the release, ‘The Harvest #112’ reached an all-time high for the collection when it sold for 40 ETH on the secondary market.
Could you tell us about your story and how you got introduced to the NFT space?
I have been into creative coding and generative art since the early 2000s, but I became more serious about it when I heard about NFTs. During the peak days of the summer of 2021 a friend of mine released a project on Art Blocks, and by following his process through this I got really intrigued by the idea of generative art coupled with the blockchain.
What was the first NFT you created?
My first NFT was just a few simple sketches that uploaded on OpenSea just to learn and find my way around the blockchain. But uploading to OpenSea doesn’t put it on the blockchain automatically, that doesn’t happen before the NFT is sold, so technically they might not be considered my first.
My first real NFT would be Trinity, part of my Recursive Triangles series, which I minted on KnownOrigin in October 2021.
Which tools do you use to create?
I use mainly JavaScript and the p5js library, but a few of my earlier NFTs were coded and rendered in c++/openframeworks.
What are your biggest influences or sources of inspiration?
I can get inspired by anything, be it landscape, music, conversations and science to name a few. A walk in the woods, for example, could trigger a long thought process that could be the seed of a new project. I really don’t have a go-to set of inspirational sources to be honest.
What has been the most rewarding part of being involved in the NFT space?
Being able to create art and having the privilege of connecting with people that like what I create.
What advice would you give to someone starting out as a creator within the NFT space?
Don’t give up — and don’t let your imposter syndrome cripple you. Fake it til’ you make it does have a point 🙂
How do you cultivate a relationship with collectors?
Be sincere, kind and active on twitter. There are a lot of great people in the space that can help you with feedback and advice, so keeping a level of visibility will get you a long way.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities within the NFT space in the coming 5 years? Culturally, artistically and financially?
I think we are only experiencing the tip of the iceberg regarding NFTs. I believe NFTs will become ubiquitous in the future, and will be an integral and normalised part of proving ownership in general.
What’s the best piece of advice you have been given?
The same advice I gave above — don’t give up. Being creative is an emotional rollercoaster, there are highs, lows, very highs and very lows. The trick is to stay focused on what you want to create, and not let the lows get under you skin.
Just keep calm and create.
You can find Per Kristian and his works via the following links:
- Website: perkwerk.art/
- Art Blocks Curated: https://www.artblocks.io/collections/curated/projects/theharvest
- Foundation: foundation.app/@perkwerk
- fxhash: fxhash.xyz/u/perkwerk
- Twitter: twitter.com/perkwerk_
- Instagram: instagram.com/perkwerk.art/
SE 