BFAH Thesis Installation II | Desk: From Physical Sculpture to AI-Generated Storytelling

From the Kingston Sculpture Studio to the Infinite Coast: The Evolution of “Desk” through AI-generated Storytelling Art

The conceptual lineage of Kingston artist, Portia “Po” Chapman’s sculpture / installation, Desk, begins with the radical disruptions of early 20th-century avant-garde art, specifically the Dadaist belief that any object, once removed from its utilitarian context, becomes a profound vessel for meaning. Drawing inspiration from Marcel Duchamp’s “readymades” and the evocative, surrealist collage techniques of Hannah Höch, this project explores the evolution of a contemporary sculpture into a digital protagonist. As a professional artist, Po’s practice is rooted in the conviction that a compelling creative concept deserves a flawless execution. Where physical limitations once constrained the narrative of Desk during its initial 2019 construction, the emergence of generative AI has finally provided the technical bridge required for Po to transport the piece from the studio to the infinite coast, realizing her original vision with exceptional fidelity through innovative storytelling art.

Originally conceived during her BFAH studies, Desk was designed to challenge institutional norms and proclaim that learning is not a process confined to four walls, but a constant, fluid engagement with the world. After years of being held in storage due to global shifts and gallery closures, the piece has undergone a digital metamorphosis. By treating the physical sculpture as a “sourcing” element for modern digital collage, Po has integrated the technical precision of her sculptural background with the infinite possibilities of AI. This evolution transforms Desk from a static wooden structure into a symbol of Storytelling Art, capable of inhabiting impossible landscapes, from the urban grit of Toronto’s Graffiti Alley to the serene natural vistas of Eastern Ontario, narrating the universal truth that knowledge is reclaimed by nature and community alike.

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Po’s Artist Statement

My work is an ongoing exploration of how physical objects can act as anchors for expansive, surreal narratives. With Desk, my objective was to create a minimalist installation that invited viewers to project their own histories of education and growth onto its surface. In this new phase of the project, I have embraced the role of a digital curator, using AI-enhanced collage to place the sculpture in environments, from the depths of the ocean to the fabled “Hall of Knowledge,” that were previously unreachable from a physical gallery setting. This process represents the culmination of “Desk’s” storytelling message, where the technical mastery of digital assembly meets the grassroots sincerity of the original physical form. By merging these eras of art history, I ensure that the execution of the work is a perfect reflection of the original theme: “Learning is Everywhere.”

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AI Generative Tools Translate Adult Sculpture Form and Themes in Children’s Picture Books

This image represents the literary expansion of my “Desk” sculpture project. By merging the physical sculpture with AI-generation technologies, I have been creating a “Storytelling Art” picture book that follows a magical desk on traveling adventures around the world. The project reinforces the theme that “Learning is Everywhere,” teaching children about society, geography, and culture through a blend of physical craft and digital imagination.

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Outside Landscapes – Desk Finds a New Voice – 2026

Positioned as a bridge between the physical and the digital, this image showcases the “Desk” sculpture—originally a 2019 BFAH thesis sculpture & installation project—reimagined in a breathtaking coastal setting in 2026. This image is an example of how I utilize generative tools to liberate my work from the confines of the studio, allowing the sculpture’s voice to resonate within the natural world. This piece serves as a prelude to the technical construction phase from 2019 in the Queen’s University, Ontario Hall, sculpture room.

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Inside Studio “Desk” Views – 2019

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Po’s Studio Documentation of Construction

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I value a positive, collaborative process that respects the direction and stories of every business, organization and collector with whom I work. My clients trust me to provide the technical know-how and professional oversight required to move from an initial creative concept to a high-end execution – delivered on time and as envisioned.

I hope that you find my artwork inspirational, uplifting, welcoming and most of all, BEAUTIFUL!

I am often asked why I create attention grabbing, beautiful artworks, that generate discussion and the mutual sharing of stories. My response is:

“LIFE JUST FEELS BETTER
WHEN WE SMILE!”

Based in Kingston, Ontario and primarily serving Greater Napanee, Belleville, Gananoque, Picton, Peterborough, Toronto, Ottawa, and across Canada.

Looking to commission a mural, drum, illustration, painting or digital image?
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Storytelling Art & Art Services
Portia “Po” Chapman / Kingston, ON