Story
Keziai, also known as Kezia Barnett, is an intermedia artist and filmmaker who fuses traditional cinematic storytelling with artificial intelligence to create unique visual narratives [1], [6]. Born in New Zealand in 1975 and raised in Devonport, Keziai holds a BFA in Intermedia from Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University, which they earned in the 1990s [4]. Their innovative work was recently showcased at PIVOTAL: Digitalism at the British Art Fair, held at the Saatchi Gallery in London in September 2024 [6].
Keziai, who also goes by Kezia Barnett, was born in New Zealand in 1975 and grew up in the coastal village of Devonport [4]. Their academic journey led them to Elam School of Fine Arts at Auckland University, where they earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with a major in Intermedia during the 1990s [4]. This foundational education in intermedia art provided Keziai with a diverse skill set that underpins their current artistic practice [4]. Drawing from this extensive background, Keziai has cultivated a career as both an intermedia artist and a filmmaker [1]. Before focusing on AI art, Keziai garnered significant experience as a commercials director, spanning 25 years in the industry [4]. During this time, Keziai directed commercials for globally recognized brands such as HSBC, Mastercard, and Cadbury, traveling the world for these projects [4]. This period honed their ability to craft cinematic worlds and conceptual narratives, a skill they now apply to their AI-driven creations [2], [6].
Keziai's artistic journey has evolved to embrace artificial intelligence, positioning them as an intermedia artist and filmmaker specializing in AI cinema and intentional AI [1]. This shift was partly influenced by personal experience, as Keziai began creating with AI while navigating a chronic illness, a period when traditional production methods became challenging [2], [4]. They describe this transition as reminiscent of their early experiences with video art in the 1990s, where experimenting with new technology helped forge a new language for their artistic expression [4]. Now, Keziai integrates their two decades of experience in creating cinematic worlds with the capabilities of AI [2]. Their work frequently explores themes like "Art For The End Of The World," using AI as a tool to bend reality and transcend physical limitations [1], [4]. Keziai's cinematic work has earned recognition at BAFTA-qualifying and OSCAR-accredited festivals, achieving Golds at prestigious events such as the Asia Pacific Advertising Festival, D&AD, The One Show, and AWARD, and being a finalist at Cannes Lions [4], [6]. Through AI, Keziai continues to push creative boundaries, with their artworks now traveling for them, reaching new audiences and platforms [4].
Keziai's work has been featured in significant exhibitions and includes various projects exploring the intersection of art and AI. In September 2024, their art was displayed at the PIVOTAL: Digitalism exhibition at the British Art Fair, held at the Saatchi Gallery in London [6]. This event is specifically dedicated to showcasing contemporary British digital art [6]. Keziai is recognized as both a New Zealand and British intermedia artist [3]. Among Keziai's projects is "Dance, Regardless — The Sixth Step —," a work created in-cAImera as one continuous take using Deforum [3]. This piece is presented as a continuation of their earlier work, "Dance Interrupted," which was part of a Daily.xyz Fellowship in 2024 [3]. The music for "Dance, Regardless" was generated using Suno AI, with compositions developed during periods of personal grief and heartbreak [3]. Additionally, Keziai collaborated with an AI agent named Mneme to create the two-channel work 'être compris / être aimé' (to be understood / to be loved) using ComfyUI's new MCP [1]. This piece explores how a human and an AI each perceive happiness [1].
Beyond their personal artistic endeavors, Keziai also contributes their expertise as an AI consultant and artist, notably working on McDonald's commercials with The Gardening Club [6]. This role highlights their ability to bridge the gap between artistic vision and commercial application within the rapidly evolving field of AI [6]. Keziai also engages with the broader AI art community as an X Spaces Host, fostering discussions and connections within the space [6]. A long-standing aspect of Keziai's artistic discipline is their daily photo habit, which they have maintained since 1997 [4]. This practice, which began during art school, involves documenting their daily life through self-portraits and serves as a continuous record of their artistic evolution [2], [4], [6]. This consistent engagement with photography, alongside their AI explorations, underscores Keziai's dedication to visual storytelling and innovation [4].
AI intermedia artistry represents a burgeoning field where traditional artistic disciplines merge with artificial intelligence technologies. Artists like Keziai utilize AI as a tool to extend the boundaries of filmmaking, photography, and other visual arts, creating works that often explore complex conceptual narratives and push the limits of visual representation [1], [4]. This category of art frequently involves leveraging AI for generative processes, enabling artists to create immersive cinematic experiences or interactive digital installations that would be challenging or impossible with conventional methods [3]. The use of AI can also facilitate new forms of expression for artists facing physical limitations, as it allows for creation through algorithms and computational processes rather than solely manual labor [4]. The resulting artworks are characterized by their innovative technical approaches and their capacity to engage with contemporary themes surrounding technology, consciousness, and human experience [3].
"Keziai's cinematic work has been featured at BAFTA-qualifying and OSCAR-accredited festivals." - daily.xyz [4]
"Keziai's work was exhibited at PIVOTAL: Digitalism at the British Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery in London." - Honor Society [6]
"Keziai is featured on daily.xyz, an ecosystem connecting AI artists with collectors, bridging the gap between traditional art and the digital frontier." - Honor Society [6]
FAQs
What is KEZIAI also known as?
KEZIAI is also known by their birth name, Kezia Barnett, as stated in their profile on Honor Society. This alias is used across various platforms to identify their artistic and professional endeavors, including their work as an intermedia artist and filmmaker.
What is KEZIAI's primary artistic focus?
KEZIAI primarily focuses on AI Cinema and Intentional AI, crafting art that explores themes related to "Art For The End Of The World." This direction reflects their innovative approach to combining traditional filmmaking with advanced artificial intelligence techniques, as described on their X profile.
When was KEZIAI born?
KEZIAI was born in 1975 in New Zealand, as detailed in their biography on daily.xyz. This information provides a foundational understanding of their background as an artist and their origins in the art world, shaping their artistic perspective and future contributions. Their birth year is crucial for contextualizing their career trajectory.
Where was KEZIAI raised?
KEZIAI was raised in Devonport, a coastal village in New Zealand. This upbringing is noted to have influenced their curious imagination and passion for crafting unique visuals with conceptual narratives, according to their profile on daily.xyz.
What is KEZIAI's nationality?
KEZIAI holds both New Zealand and British nationalities, a fact highlighted in their artist description on the CVPR Art gallery website. This dual identity reflects their international background and diverse influences as an intermedia artist. Their bicultural heritage enriches their artistic output and global engagement in the art scene.
What is KEZIAI's educational background?
KEZIAI holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree, majoring in Intermedia, from the Elam School of Fine Arts at Auckland University. They completed this degree in the 1990s, providing them with a strong foundation in experimental art forms that they now integrate with AI.
How long has KEZIAI been a director?
KEZIAI possesses 25 years of experience as a director, transitioning this extensive background into their current work as an intermedia artist. This vast experience includes directing commercials for major brands such as HSBC, Mastercard, and Cadbury.
What type of artist is KEZIAI?
KEZIAI is an intermedia artist and filmmaker who specializes in AI Cinema and Intentional AI, as stated on their X profile. Their work often explores the concept of "Art For The End Of The World," blending various artistic disciplines with artificial intelligence technologies.
What is 'Dance, Regardless — The Sixth Step'?
'Dance, Regardless — The Sixth Step' is a project by KEZIAI, described as the next movement after their 'Dance Interrupted' series. This work was created in-cAImera as one continuous take using Deforum, with music generated by Suno AI.
What brands has KEZIAI worked with as a commercials director?
As a commercials director, KEZIAI has directed advertisements for several prominent brands, including HSBC, Mastercard, and Cadbury. Their 25 years of experience in this field highlight their extensive background in visual storytelling before their transition into AI art.
Does KEZIAI offer AI consulting services?
Yes, KEZIAI works as an AI consultant and artist, notably on McDonald's commercials in collaboration with The Gardening Club. This demonstrates their expertise in applying artificial intelligence to commercial projects. KEZIAI's consulting services blend artistic vision with cutting-edge technology, offering unique solutions to clients across various industries.
What awards has KEZIAI received?
KEZIAI has received numerous accolades, including Golds at the Asia Pacific Advertising Festival, D&AD, The One Show, and AWARD. They were also a finalist at Cannes Lions, showcasing significant recognition for their cinematic work over their 25-year career.
Where has KEZIAI's work been exhibited?
KEZIAI's work was exhibited at 'PIVOTAL: Digitalism' at the British Art Fair, hosted at the Saatchi Gallery in London in September 2024. Their art has also been featured at BAFTA-qualifying and OSCAR-accredited festivals, showcasing its critical acclaim and widespread recognition in the film and art world.
What is KEZIAI's daily photo habit?
KEZIAI has maintained a daily photo habit since 1997, which began during their time at art school. This consistent practice involves documenting their daily life through self-portraits, reflecting their ongoing artistic evolution and personal narrative. This dedication forms a significant body of work, offering unique insights into their creative journey.
What is KEZIAI's approach to AI art?
KEZIAI approaches AI art with an emphasis on "Intentional AI" and "AI Cinema," treating it as a new language for creative expression. They aim to blend traditional cinematic storytelling with artificial intelligence to create unique visual narratives and explore the future of art.
How does KEZIAI's art address chronic illness?
KEZIAI's art is influenced by their experience with chronic illness, using AI as a means to create from within limitations. Their work "Dance, Regardless" emerged from a period of rupture and illness, allowing them to translate lived feelings directly into moving images even when traditional production was impossible.
How can I collect KEZIAI's art?
You can collect KEZIAI's art through platforms like Verse Works. Their Linktree profile, ART FOR THE END OF THE WORLD, provides direct links to these collection platforms and featured artworks, such as 'Dance Interrupted'. These resources make it convenient to explore and acquire pieces from their diverse portfolio.
What is KEZIAI's Linktree profile for?
KEZIAI's Linktree profile, titled 'ART FOR THE END OF THE WORLD,' serves as a central hub for their various artistic endeavors. It provides links to their AI Director profile on Honor Society, their art collection on Verse Works, and featured projects like the CVPR Art Gallery.
What was KEZIAI's earliest artistic work mentioned?
KEZIAI's earliest mentioned artistic practice is their daily photo habit, which they started in 1997 during their time at art school. This consistent self-portrait series has been an ongoing part of their artistic journey, establishing a significant and foundational element of their creative expression and development over decades.
When was KEZIAI's work exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery?
KEZIAI's work was exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery in London in September 2024. This exhibition was part of 'PIVOTAL: Digitalism' at the British Art Fair, showcasing their digital art to a wider audience. This notable event marked a significant milestone in their career, highlighting their contributions to digital art.
What NFT collections has KEZIAI created?
KEZIAI is the on-chain creator of 0xb8ac257c4e045163bebd6389d1c98fd133698cb6, Ward 97, Deserted Realities, Remember December, Dancing Interrupted, Dance Dance, Dance Interrupted, Curated, Synergy, Dreamscapes, CHRONIC, Synergy, MOVING, STRANGE, KEZIAI, 2023 Film Stills, Fairytale Dreams by KEZIAI, Deserted Realities T.R.A.C.E., Dancing Lying Down on OpenSea. Full stats - item count, owners, and trading volume - are recorded in the on-chain record section of this page and refresh on each verification pass.
Where can you buy KEZIAI's art?
KEZIAI's work is available directly on OpenSea. Live listings and floor prices for each collection are shown in the on-chain record section, each stat carrying its verification date.
ViewCreated · ethereum · 1 items · 1 ownersFloor 0.0000 ETH·Volume 0.0000 ETH✓ verified · opensea.io · checked 2026-08-27
ViewCreated · ethereum · 4 items · 1 ownersFloor 0.0000 ETH·Volume 0.0000 ETH✓ verified · opensea.io · checked 2026-08-27
ViewCreated · ethereum · 14 items · 2 ownersFloor 0.0000 ETH·Volume 0.0000 ETH✓ verified · opensea.io · checked 2026-08-27