Artist Statement
I am a generative artist, which means that I write novel algorithms to create artwork. Each artwork begins with a blank screen, which gradually and iteratively changes as I view the variety of output that is created with each run of the system. My work with creative coding has evolved through collaborations with artists and several projects developed with art collectors, including fine art prints and non-fungible token collections. My preferred coding tools reflect my background as research scientist, crafting specialized algorithms for simulation, analysis, and plots in scientific publications over many years.

Background: Art and Science
Prior to writing algorithm-based art, my art experience included drawing, painting, stained glass apprenticeships, as well as nature photography. My artworks have been selected for the permanent art collection at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) where I am a faculty member (2016), the juried annual art publication MUSC Humanitas (2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), Courtenay Street Art Gallery (2012), and Piccolo Spoleto Annual Juried Art Exhibition (2012, 2022, 2023).
I started experimenting with code to generate art in the R Statistics Language out of curiosity. I have been writing R code in my role as a researcher for many years, which includes biostatistics and precise graphics for scientific plots. As I shared my early artistic experiments, I encountered a wonderful online community of creative coders and associated artists from engineering, mathematics, economics, computer science, and other technical disciplines. This is represented by the Generative Artists Club and countless informal chats with artists around the world.
As my algorithms became more sophisticated, one of my goals is to describe each algorithm in a plain language recipe so the audience can better appreciate and enjoy the artwork. The descriptions can provide interesting practice for other coders also, who have written me to show me their takes on my artwork and other interesting side-quests.
Purchasing Generative Art by Vaden
- My artwork is available as limited or single edition fine art prints: Online Shop
- Limited edition Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs): Quantum.art, OpenSea, Objkt, & Foundation
- Long-form NFTs: Flamingo DAO Flutter, and FxHash
- NFT collectors can exclusively purchase fine art prints of NFTs
- Acrylic glass productions, exclusively represented by Anew Gallery
I am happy to discuss collaborations and requests to purchase artwork with individuals, license artwork to musicians, and exclusive representation for a selection of my work by art galleries. Feel free to reach out!
Art on the Block-Chain
Art Collections

Pathos (R code). November 2021. Juried Selection for the Medical University of South Carolina Community Gallery. Charleston, SC

Worlds (p5.js). December 2021. Online collection, Flamingo DAO vault

Gorgeous Gorges. Waterfalls and fall colors at the Gorges State Park, NC. April 20, 2016. Selected by the Humanitas 2016 Jury for exhibit and inclusion in the permanent MUSC Art Collection. Charleston, SC
Art Exhibitions

Black Path (R code). March 2023. Humanitas 2023 Annual Juried Art & Literary Publication. Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Inkscapes: Algorithmic Dreams (R + Video). Collab w Swickie Fang. Otherblock: Supercharged LA. March 18, 2023. Los Angeles, CA

Time Reversal Paradox. March 17 – May 9, 2023. Piccolo Spoleto 2023 Juried Art Exhibition. City Gallery, Charleston, SC

Places of Conflict, Iteration (R code). May 27 – June 12, 2022. Piccolo Spoleto 2023 Juried Art Exhibition. City Gallery, Charleston, SC

Magnetic Field Reconnection Event (R code). March 2022. Humanitas 2022 Annual Juried Art Exhibit and Literary Publication. Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Momentary (R code). April 2021. Humanitas 2021 Annual Juried Art Exhibit and Literary Publication. Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Moth. Common buckeye (Junonia Coenia). April 2020. Humanitas 2020 Annual Juried Art Exhibit and Literary Publication. Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Sleepy Snake. A coiled snake laying on fallen tree branches in the Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary. April 20, 2016. Humanitas 2016 Annual Juried Art Exhibit and Literary Publication. Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Untitled. Dark fishing spider (Dolomedes Tenebrosus) hunting tadpoles at the Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Ravenel, SC. April 23, 2015. Humanitas 2015 Annual Juried Art Exhibit and Literary Publication. Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Peaceful. Calm water in the Charleston harbor. May 27 to June 10, 2011. Piccolo Spoleto 27th Annual Juried Art Exhibition. Visitor Center, Charleston, SC
Art Gallery Representation
February 2021 – present. Anew Gallery. Tiomkin 16, Tel Aviv, Israel https://anew.gallery
Music Albums

Honest Music: Christos DC – Crisis 2.0 in Dub
June 2022

Culture Riddem Tribute to Joseph Hill by Kenyatta Hill
February 2022

Man of Parts by Arnie Tecson
October 2021
Other Art Commissions

Whisper and Roar, DrawDAO
November 2022
October 2022 – Private art commision, Information Entropy LLC
Publications

Places of Conflict, Iteration (R code). Artwork featured in the Anarchist Review of Books, Issue #4 Summer/Fall 2022.
Artist Bibliography
2023 Panelist on IRL Alpha in Venice Beach, CA. August 10, 2023.
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1895576113
2023 Artwork featured in The Best of fxhash (Unofficial): Issue 30. 7/24/2023.
https://www.fxhash.xyz/article/the-best-of-fxhash-(unofficial)%3A-issue-30
2022 Vaden, Kenneth. Code Art. Hearing Health. Oct 19, 2022.
https://issuu.com/hearinghealthmagazine/docs/hearing_health_fall22/1
2022 Cornelius, Isabella. Digital Renaissance: Art in the Information Age. Sep 26, 2022.
https://itsuhbella.wordpress.com/2022/09/26/digital-renaissance-art-in-the-information-age
2021 Launching Flamingo Flutter, featuring Kenny Vaden as our First Artist. Dec 7, 2021.
https://medium.com/@FLAMINGODAO
Artist Organizations
2019 – present Generative Artist Club https://www.genartclub.com