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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Harriet Sherwood Arts and culture correspondent

But is it art, Ma’am? Robot’s platinum jubilee Queen portrait unveiled

Detail of Algorithm Queen by robot artist Ai-Da.
Detail of Algorithm Queen by robot artist Ai-Da. Photograph: Ai-Da and Aidan Meller/PA

At first glance, the Queen could be wearing a tin hat with camouflage netting set against a thunderous sky. A commentary on the inevitable conflicts and turbulence that took place during her 70-year reign, perhaps. Or a thoughtful juxtaposition of stability and instability.

But no, it seems that Ai-Da, the robot artist who painted the Queen’s portrait to mark her platinum jubilee, was simply paying tribute to “an amazing human being”. The monarch’s trademark pearls and bold colours, along with a stoic facial expression, are the standout features of Algorithm Queen, which was unveiled on Friday.

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