From Anatomy to Auction Houses: Grant Riven’s $2 Million Journey in Art and Medicine

Welcome to The Collected, a new editorial and podcast series where we delve into the digital art revolution, spotlighting the trends shaping our culture.

Grant Riven Yun is a name that has been buzzing around the digital art scene and the corridors of prestigious auction houses. Hailing from Wisconsin, Grant's journey is a remarkable story of how one can seamlessly navigate the worlds of medical academia and digital art, creating a unique blend that challenges our traditional views on careers and creativity.

“They work on two very different notions of time… Everything is basically at my own pace,” he tells ‘Collected', highlighting the flexibility of digital platforms that allow him to pursue his interests on his terms.

Grant's story is notable not only for his success in the art world, making significant marks in forums such as Super Rare and the auction rooms of Sotheby's and Christie's, but also for his thoughtful understanding of balancing life as a medical student and artist. Grant joins a long line of artists who have practiced medicine; The relationship between art and medicine, a topic rooted in history, is explored in Kathleen Dover's Guggenheim class, “Doctors Without Borders: Exploring the Connections between Art and Medicine.”

Originally intended for the walls of hospitals, Grant's artwork draws heavily from his personal experiences and the natural landscapes of Wisconsin. These pieces are more than just art; They are reinterpretations of the landscape sketches and photographs he encountered during his undergraduate days.

This fusion of his medical and artistic worlds not only highlights his unique perspective, but also his desire to humanize and heal through his art. “There's an amazing experience that you can't really have in any other setting or in any profession.” Grant emphasizes the profound impact of treating and healing people on a human level—one that resonates deeply with his artistic endeavors. .

Grant is passionate about the possibilities of new technologies such as AI, AR, and VR in the artistic and medical fields. “I'm definitely excited … I mean, I hope I can be a part of that whole movement,” he said, adding that he sees potential for patient care and artistic expression.

As a digital artist, Grant embraced the freedom and accessibility offered by blockchain technology, which allowed him to earn $2 million in sales. The high-profile sale of his digital artwork “Cow” has sparked discussions about the utility and value of fine art NFTs – highlighting the gap between the traditional art world and the growing decentralized and blockchain scene. “It's good to be recognized by these big art institutions, but at the same time, I have a lot of respect for everyone who opposes these art institutions.”

Grant's family background, where art and engineering have always been present, played an important role in shaping his path. “It's very natural in me,” he said. The artistic atmosphere nurtured by his mother and aunt combined with his father's technical understanding of engineering history created a natural drive to create and create.

“The main thing that helped me was… just asking for opportunities,” he said, persevering through his amazing journey. The power of asking for opportunities and the importance of networking and access to success in the competitive art market.

By the time we finished our conversation, it was clear that Grant Riven Yun was not just an artist or a medical student. He is a visionary who bridges two worlds with grace and creativity that promises to make a lasting impact on both. I encourage you to dive deeper into Grant's work and listen to our full conversation on the podcast.