Simon Venter | Mythologies of Time

Mythologies of Time is an exploration of the ways in which human existence, history, and technology intersect to shape our perception of reality. Rooted in a dialogue between tradition and contemporary concerns, this body of work examines how the past continues to echo in the present, influencing our evolving relationship with time, memory, and progress.

Drawing from Christian iconography, historical artistic traditions, and philosophical inquiry, my work engages with the tension between human agency and technological acceleration. In an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) increasingly infiltrates artistic and cultural production, Mythologies of Time interrogates the myths we construct around technology, particularly its perceived inevitability and creative potential. Through the use of AI-generated imagery, juxtaposed with my own hand-rendered techniques, I challenge the notion of AI as an independent creative force and highlight its role as a mechanical mirror—reconfiguring but never truly reflecting the depth of human artistic expression.

This series incorporates archetypal symbols, including the arch motif, which serves as both a threshold and a point of rupture—a representation of the tension between permanence and change, human consciousness and machinic processes. Inspired by memento mori traditions, the works reflect on the impermanence of life, drawing attention to what distinguishes human creativity: the embodied experience, existential reflection, and historical continuity embedded in technique. By weaving together elements of art history, mythology, and digital intervention, Mythologies of Time seeks to engage viewers in a critical conversation about the role of tradition in an era of technological disruption. It stands as a testament to the enduring significance of artistic reflection in a world increasingly shaped by algorithmic processes.

This show runs from 13 March - 4 May 2025.