Chico artist raising funds for Stonewall
SEATTLE » Aaron Penne is a data engineer who found ways to use his skills to create generative art.
“I think of it as art created through a generative process, meaning algorithms or rules or codes. Basically, you create something that creates the art,” he said.
He’s using his newfound artistic outlet to raise funds for Stonewall Alliance Center of Chico by selling his prints online. He’s raised nearly $1,000. He will end the fundraiser at the end of the month.
Penne grew up in Chico, but currently lives in Seattle. He’s played around with sketching and poetry but really found his place in the art world by accident. He’s been working in data visualization professionally for several years.
“There’s a lot of rules around data visualization. You want to minimize the amount of ink. You have to use certain colors,” he said. “I was trying to get more expressive with the visualization and the code and found some other folks who were using the same tools I was using.”
He founded Generative Artists Club to create a community around the medium. Work produced by some of the 250 members of the club can be found by using the follow
ing hashtags: #genuary2021 #genuary #genartclub
He chose Stonewall because “It’s a great resource for people that may not have been exposed to the LGBTQ community,” he said. “I have a lot of friends and family who are part of that community, and I wish they had that kind of resource growing up. It’s awesome, the impact they’re having on this small town.”
Penne’s artwork fluctuates between being minimalist and maximalist, being geometric and fluid. He works to create a blurred line between the computer element and the human element of his pieces. Was it made with a computer, or a hand?
Penne’s prints can be purchased at generatinggood.bigcartel.com. According to its website, the Stonewall Alliance center is committed to cultivating a safe, open, inclusive environment for all members of the LGBT*Q+ and ally community.
“I really wanted to take my artwork and sell it and use that money for good, and I couldn’t think of a better place,” he said. “Human rights are not negotiable. Everybody is a person. Treat people like people and you’re good to go.”