A new curator-led NFT marketplace, TheUpsideSpace, officially launches to advance the art ecosystem and spotlight artists from Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East by fusing tech with tradition.
With a mission to refresh and modernise vital components of the art world leveraging Web3 technology, new curator-led NFT marketplace TheUpsideSpace is making artistic expression accessible to all. Founded by Lisa Ray and Ayesha Khan, the platform sets out to reimagine a fair, accessible, and engaging art ecosystem in the digital space spotlighting art and artists from Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. Championing artistic representation through impactful digital curatorial experiences, TheUpsideSpace aims to demystify the buying process for collectors.
The Realm of Silence by Kourosh Salehi
Conceptualised by co-founders Lisa Ray and Ayesha Khan, Lisa’s multifaceted career in the entertainment industry, has long nurtured a passion for the contemporary arts, whilst Ayesha’s long career as an art collector, philanthropist, and accredited antique appraiser, makes the pair an ideal match to elevate the profiles of artists from both their own homelands, and other regions overlooked in the global art conversation.
“From canvas to pixels, artists have always embraced innovation to allow their practice to evolve. We see NFTs and blockchain as the tools to deliver breakthrough impact for artistic expression. We also recognise the vital role of community engagement and education. TheUpsideSpace welcomes crypto natives and newbies alike. The world is changing, the form is changing but we place creativity at the wheel. For this reason and more, we see nothing but an Upside,” commented Lisa Ray, the Co-Founder of TheUpsideSpace.
Partnering with a diverse portfolio of curators, TheUpsideSpace aims to reflect on unique cultural insights and perspectives through their exhibitions, fostering NFT art appreciation whilst ensuring that the soul and purpose of the art are bolstered, and not lost, by the power of cutting-edge technology.
Melodious Sound of the Seventh Daikini by Twinz
Ayesha Khan, the Co-Founder of TheUpsideSpace added, “Conventional art systems can be opaque, elitist and difficult to navigate, and are long overdue a major shift. At TheUpsideSpace, we believe that removing geographical and physical boundaries for art can evoke high points of human creativity.”
Inseparable by Swoof One
Committed to diversity and democracy within the platform and ensuring fresh perspectives, TheUpsideSpace’s curators come from a variety of backgrounds, including traditional curators, gallerists, and sister industries including music, fashion, art, and media.
Among the talents spotlighted on the platform are Ranbir Singh Kaleka, who will create and mint his first NFT with TheUpsideSpace, renowned Iraqi origin artist, Halim Al Karim, and Aaron Cezar, the Founding Director of the Delfina Foundation.
Joy of freedom by Muhammad Atif Khan
Committed to making NFT art appreciation accessible to all, buyers can connect their existing wallets to the platform, and payment through numerous cryptocurrencies is accepted. For the more traditional collectors, fiat payments through debit and credit card payments are also accepted.
Featured banner image credit: Bissu by Ben Mulyo Wicaksono, WE THE HUMANS by Halim Al Karim, Mother by Prabath Samarasooriya
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