Objkt Labs has unveiled a new residency program designed to help artists navigate the intersection of AI technology and creative practice while building sustainable careers in the NFT space.

The eight-week program brings together 12 artists with four expert teachers and rotating guest speakers to explore what it means to create, connect, and thrive as an artist in the age of artificial intelligence. The curriculum centers on four pillars: Creation, Community, Communication, and Curation.

A New Kind of Art Education

The residency addresses practical questions facing contemporary artists: How do you develop an authentic voice when AI tools are reshaping creative processes? What does success look like in decentralized art markets? How do you build meaningful relationships with curators, platforms, and galleries in digital-native spaces?

Leading the program is curator Anika Meier, with artist mentors Kevin Abosch on creation, community organizer Margaret Murphy, and photographer Boris Eldagsen on communication. Guest speakers have included poet and AI researcher Sasha Stiles, Trilitech Head of Arts Aleksandra Art, Objkt Head Curator Kika Nicolela, and Art Basel Head of Editorial Jeni Fulton.

Still from “Salawaki Biennale” by Salawaki. Credit: Courtesy of Objkt Labs

First Cohort Takes Shape

The inaugural residency launched with 12 artists working across AI-assisted practices. Their first public exhibition, “Proof of Presence,” debuted during Art on Tezos: Berlin, with accompanying digital works available for sale online as NFTs via the Objkt Marketplace.

The program’s second exhibition, “Training Data and Other Heartbreaks: Signals Between Us,” rolls out across multiple release dates. Yuran Yakon and Martin Bruce dropped work on Friday (December 12), followed by Marine Bléhaut and Salawaki on December 16. Each artist takes a unique approach to their individual release, incorporating the learnings and feedback through the weekly sessions. For example, in her series ‘Salawaki Biennale’, Salawaki uses six identical, art-fair-like spaces to explore how artists are presented and perceived, reflecting on systems of visibility and how artistic labor is framed and valued. Meanwhile, Marine Bléhaut’s “Encoding Body” release takes the form of AI-generated film fragments from the story of her film Electric Mom. Additional releases are scheduled throughout January 2026 with artists including Shojiro Nakaoka, Daniel W., Fantastic Planet, Georg Eckmayr, Tan-Tan, and zofia au gore.

“The Abyss You Cannot Train” by Yuran Yakon. Credit: Courtesy of Objkt Labs

Wisdom from the Field

The residency has generated sharp insights about building an art career in 2025, with each teacher and guest speaker bringing distinct perspectives.

Jeni Fulton, Head of Editorial at Art Basel, offered three directives when asked for advice on succeeding as an artist: “Find your community. Network like crazy. Make your art practice easy to find.”

Sasha Stiles, artist and AI researcher, reminded residents that constant availability isn’t required, even in decentralized movements. “It’s not your job to be constantly available,” she said during the third session. “As part of a decentralized art movement, it’s important to know what’s truly urgent and what deserves your attention.”

Kevin Abosch, artist, reframed how artists create meaning in the AI age. “The artist used to shape meaning through craft. Now they search for meaning within the systems that shape us.”

During his session on art and value, Abosch told residents: “You want your artwork out there, but you also want a fair price.” He urged artists to take moments to gain perspective, acknowledging that success means different things to different people.

“Obsolete Ruin” by Martin Bruce. Credit: Courtesy of Objkt Labs

Abosch also explored what defines artistic success. For him, an artist builds a universe through a unique voice (“something that’s them”), being part of a movement, and sharing a personal story that connects meaningfully to the work. At the core: consistency, authenticity, and honesty.

Boris Eldagsen, artist, spoke about accumulation and timing. “The artist’s journey is a steady accumulation of skills, insights, and resilience. It’s about gathering traces from every experience and waiting for the moment when they finally converge. When that moment comes, everything learned, endured, and transformed aligns. And that’s when the artist can truly make a difference.”

Margaret Murphy, artist, drew parallels between artistic and social media practice. “Social media, like art, is a practice. It takes time, attention, and intention. Just as artists create and develop a craft that reflects who they are, so does a strong social media presence.”

Aleksandra Art, Head of Arts at Trilitech, shared insights on perseverance during her guest speaker talk. She discussed choosing untraveled paths and how that experience helped her stay motivated despite setbacks, emphasizing the resilience artists need when facing uncertainty.

What does it mean to create meaning inside a system designed to quantify it? For Marine Bléhaut (@m_blehaut) and @Salawaki_3000, that question runs through their work—from Bléhaut’s poetic explorations of artificial life, memory, and care to Salawaki’s ironic reflections on the… pic.twitter.com/GRmW7jKUqQ
— objkt labs (@objktlabs) December 15, 2025

What’s Next

Objkt Labs plans to run the residency three times per year, creating an ongoing pipeline for artists exploring AI’s role in contemporary practice.

The program positions itself as both research initiative and educational framework, testing how structured mentorship and peer exchange can help artists build sustainable careers in emerging digital art markets.

For artists working at the bleeding edge of technology and creativity, the residency offers something increasingly rare: dedicated time to experiment, fail, learn, and find their voice alongside others doing the same work.

🥁 …please welcome the first objkt labs Residency cohort!

▪️ @martnbruc
▪️ @m_blehaut
▪️ @YuranYakon
▪️ @danielwponto02
▪️ @Salawaki_3000
▪️ @Georg_Eckmayr
▪️ @SkyGoodman24898
▪️ @fantasticplanet
▪️ @tantan_artwork
▪️ @augore_zofi
▪️ @Studio_De_Wilde
▪️… pic.twitter.com/guNhm7AKbr
— objkt labs (@objktlabs) October 7, 2025