Frequently Asked Questions

Augmented reality art is physical artwork that has been embedded with a digital layer, accessible through a smart device. The physical painting exists and functions as a standalone work. It hangs on a wall, it occupies a space, it holds visual weight. But when you point a smart device at it, that surface activates. Animation plays, sound begins, and a second layer of the work becomes visible that doesn't exist in the physical object alone.

This isn't a projection or a screen. The digital layer is spatially anchored to the painting itself. It appears to emerge from the canvas. You can move your device around the work and the animation responds accordingly. When you put the device down, the painting returns to its original state.

AR art is not a gimmick added to existing work. In Sarah Main's practice, the AR layer is conceived as part of the piece from the beginning. The physical painting and the digital animation are two parts of the same work: one experienced with the eye, one experienced through a smart device. Together they form a complete narrative that neither medium could carry alone.

Each painting contains a unique visual signature that the AR platform recognises as a trigger. When a smart device (a phone, tablet, or compatible AR glasses) scans the artwork, it reads that trigger and overlays the corresponding digital animation directly onto the surface of the work as you see it through the device screen.

The animation is custom-built for each piece. For Sarah Main's work, this typically involves an original animated character or narrative sequence, original audio composition, and in some pieces, a spoken storyline narrated by a character within the painting. The sequence runs for approximately one minute before completing its arc.

The technology works via a dedicated app that viewers download once and use for all compatible works. No QR code is needed. The artwork itself is the trigger. The platform is updated and maintained independently of the physical work, which means the digital content can be refreshed, expanded, or evolved over time without any change to the painting.

For hotel installations, this creates a practical advantage: a property's art programme can be updated seasonally or annually at the digital level without the cost or disruption of replacing physical works.

Immersive art in hospitality means art that guests actively experience rather than passively observe. It changes the relationship between the artwork, the space, and the person moving through it.

In practice, this can take multiple forms: a series of paintings that build a narrative as a guest moves from reception to their room; an AR-activated mural that animates when approached; a corridor installation with spatial sound that shifts as you walk through it; or a live painting session where guests watch a work being created in real time over several days of their stay.

The distinction from standard hotel art decoration is intentional and commercial. Decoration fills space. Immersive art gives guests something to talk about, photograph, return to, and remember. It becomes part of the experience of staying at a property rather than the background to it. Hotels working with Sarah Main have used immersive installations to generate organic social content, increase dwell time in common areas, and create a distinct visual identity that differentiates their property in a competitive market.

The process begins with traditional painting. Every work starts on canvas with paint: large-format, detailed, and fully resolved as a physical object. AI enters the workflow at the point where the physical work is complete, not before.

From 2021 onwards, AI has been used in two primary ways. The first is developing the animated sequences that form the AR layer. AI tools accelerate the generation of motion, character animation, and visual transitions that would take months to produce through traditional animation alone. The second use is in developing new compositional directions: training models on existing bodies of work to generate abstract variations that inform new paintings, rather than replacing the painting process.

The result is a practice where the physical painting carries the emotional and visual core of the work, and AI expands what's possible in the digital extension of that work. Neither replaces the other. The physical work is always primary. The digital layer is always purpose-built for that specific piece.

Yes, a free app is required to activate the AR layer. It downloads once from the App Store or Google Play and works across all compatible artworks. No QR code or additional setup is needed. You open the app, point your smart device at the painting, and the activation begins automatically.

The app works on current-generation smartphones, tablets, and iPad. As AR glasses technology matures, compatibility will extend to wearable devices. The activation experience is optimised for close to mid-range viewing distances and works in most standard lighting conditions, including the ambient light typical of hotel lobbies and gallery spaces.

For hotel installations, brief activation instructions are provided as part of the installation handover. These can be printed as small cards, added to in-room materials, or integrated into property apps, whichever approach suits the property's guest communication style.

The AR layer is maintained for the life of the work. For original paintings, the digital activation is created specifically for that piece and is linked to the physical work's unique visual signature. It does not degrade, fade, or become inaccessible in the way a physical element might.

The digital content can be updated over time. This is a feature, not a limitation. A collector can request an updated or expanded AR narrative. A hotel can commission a seasonal refresh of the digital layer without replacing the physical painting. The physical work remains unchanged while the digital experience evolves.

The only scenario in which AR activation could become inaccessible is if the platform provider discontinues the service. Sarah Main actively monitors platform sustainability and, where feasible, maintains archival versions of digital content. For significant commissions, platform continuity provisions can be included in commissioning agreements.

The starting point is an initial consultation, usually a call or meeting, to understand the property's objectives, the spaces involved, and the scope being considered. This covers the physical environment, brand positioning, whether AR integration is required, and the timeline and budget framework.

From there, a concept proposal is developed, typically including spatial mockups showing works in situ, a narrative framework for the installation, and a clear breakdown of deliverables and costs. This is the document that goes to procurement, art directors, or ownership for sign-off.

Once approved, the commission follows a staged process: 20% deposit to begin, design approval at 50%, and final payment on completion. Lead times for hotel commissions are typically 10 to 14 weeks for standard scale. Larger or more complex projects are scoped individually.

To start a conversation, contact via the enquiry form on this site or directly by email. Include the property name, the spaces under consideration, and any relevant brief or brand guidelines if available.

A large-scale immersive installation, meaning a multi-zone or full-property programme, follows a more structured development process than a single-artwork commission. It begins with a site visit or detailed space mapping, followed by narrative development: establishing the conceptual thread that will connect all elements across the property.

From there, the project is broken into zones. Each zone is designed, approved, and produced in stages, with clear approval checkpoints before production begins on the next phase. AR layers are developed in parallel with physical production so that both are ready for simultaneous installation.

The installation itself is handled professionally, either directly or through trusted local contractors depending on location. Post-installation, a full handover is provided including activation instructions, care and maintenance guidance, and platform access details for the AR components.

For full property programmes, the project typically spans 3 to 6 months from initial brief to completed installation. Ongoing relationships are available for properties that want to evolve or refresh their installation on a seasonal or annual basis.

Commissions for private collectors start from €8,000 for a single original work with AR activation. Pricing is based on scale, complexity, and whether AR is included. Standard canvas sizes with approximate pricing are available on the commissions page.

For hotel and hospitality commissions, pricing is structured per installation zone. Single-space commissions (lobby, key corridor, signature suite) typically fall in the range of €8,000 to €25,000 depending on scale and AR complexity. Full-property programmes are quoted on scope.

Technical production elements such as AV equipment, projection systems, and motion-sensing hardware for interactive installations are quoted separately as a technical production line item. This keeps the artistic fee transparent and allows procurement teams to plan budgets accurately across art and AV departments.

Shipping is additional and is the client's responsibility. Works can be shipped rolled in a tube or pre-stretched, based on preference. Cryptocurrency payments are accepted.

Standard commissions, meaning a single original painting with AR activation, have a lead time of 10 to 14 weeks from deposit payment to completion. This covers the design phase, canvas production, and AR animation development.

Larger commissions and multi-zone installations are scoped individually, but a full-property hotel programme typically runs 3 to 6 months from approved brief to completed installation, including site visits, phased production, and installation logistics.

Enquire early, particularly for projects tied to a property opening, renovation completion, or seasonal launch. A detailed timeline is provided as part of the proposal, with clear approval points throughout.

Yes. Many commissions originate through interior designers, project architects, or FF&E consultants working on hotel developments or private residential projects. Early-stage involvement is preferred. Integrating art into the spatial design from the beginning produces better outcomes than retrospective placement.

Sarah Main works comfortably within design teams, providing spatial mockups, scaled drawings, and material specifications that feed into the wider design package. For new-build or renovation projects, this includes consultation on wall preparation, lighting requirements, and any structural considerations for larger-format works.

If you are an architect or designer with a project in development, a brief conversation early in the process can clarify what's possible and what the integration would require.

Yes. Completed commissions and exhibitions span Ibiza, Barcelona, London, Miami, Sydney, New York, Brisbane, Cologne, and Rotterdam. Europe and the Mediterranean are the primary operating base, with international projects taken on where scope and logistics allow.

For international commissions, shipping and local installation logistics are factored into the project plan from the outset. Depending on scale and location, local fabrication or installation partners may be engaged to reduce risk and cost.

AR can be added to an existing original painting by Sarah Main. If you own a work without an AR layer, or with an older activation, contact the studio to discuss an update or new activation for that piece.

For buildings with existing murals or large-format works by other artists, AR integration would require working with the original artist or rights holder. This is outside the scope of Sarah Main Studio's commissions but can be discussed case by case.

For new hotel builds or renovations, AR can be integrated into any physical surface, including murals, canvases, printed graphics, or architectural features, provided the work is commissioned as part of the installation programme.

An original painting is a unique, hand-painted work on canvas. There is one of it. It is painted, signed, and certificated as an original. Pricing for originals ranges from €2,500 to €15,000 depending on scale and complexity.

A limited edition print is a high-quality reproduction of an original work, produced in a defined numbered edition, typically 10 to 50 prints per image. Each print is signed and numbered. Once the edition sells out, no further prints are produced from that image. Limited edition prints start from €390.

The primary practical distinction beyond price is exclusivity. An original is singular. A print gives more collectors access to the same image at a lower price point, but within a defined and controlled edition size that preserves scarcity.

Yes. All limited edition prints include the same AR activation as the original painting they are based on. The activation is identical: the same animation, the same audio, the same narrative sequence. The print functions as the trigger in the same way the original does.

This means a collector purchasing a limited edition print has access to the full digital dimension of the work, not a reduced version of it. The AR experience doesn't scale to purchase price.

The same way it activates on an original. Download the AR app once, open it, and point your smart device at the print. The app recognises the image and the animation begins. Works at standard viewing distances in most lighting conditions.

Prints are produced to the quality and colour accuracy required for reliable AR recognition. Cheap reproductions or photographed prints may not trigger correctly. This is one reason edition quality matters beyond aesthetics.

All originals come with a signed certificate of authenticity from the studio. This is the primary authentication document and confirms the work's title, dimensions, date, and edition status where applicable.

Blockchain-based provenance verification is currently in development. The intent is to provide a permanent, tamper-proof digital record of ownership for original works, particularly relevant as the AR layer creates a digital component that exists alongside the physical work. More information will be available when the system is live. Collectors who purchase originals now will be offered the option to register their works on the blockchain record when it launches.

Permanent and long-term installations are located across several active venues. In Ibiza, works are installed at the Mondrian Ibiza and Amarè Beach Hotel. In Miami, recent installations were presented at The Goodtime Hotel during Art Week 2025. In Sydney, works have been exhibited at multiple locations through Future Art and the Her Story exhibition series.

Upcoming and current exhibitions are listed on the exhibitions page of this site. If you are visiting Ibiza, Barcelona, or another city where a current installation is active, contact the studio for the most accurate location information before visiting.

Sarah Main has exhibited internationally since 2020, with a programme spanning Ibiza, Barcelona, London, Miami, Sydney, Brisbane, New York, Cologne, and Rotterdam.

Key projects include: The Interactive Art Hotel at Amarè Beach Hotel, Ibiza (2024), a full-property immersive art takeover; the Mondrian and Hyde Ibiza Art Residency (2024 to 2025), a full-season artist residency integrating live painting, AR workshops, and evolving exhibitions; Neon Bloom, Ibiza (2024), a curated digital group exhibition; Her Story: Future Women Artists, Sydney (2024 and 2025), a multi-year exhibition series focused on female artists; Future Art is Vivid, Sydney (2023), AR works presented within the Vivid Festival; the Dolby Theatre, London (2023), a solo digital and music presentation; The Gabriel Hotel, Miami Art Week (2023 and 2024), solo physical exhibitions; The Goodtime Hotel, Miami Art Week (2025), a solo immersive installation; and Scope Art Fair, Miami (2025), a group exhibition of AR-enhanced digital works.

Yes. Artist residencies and live painting engagements are an established part of the practice. The Mondrian and Hyde Ibiza residency (summer 2024, returning 2025) is the most recent example: a full-season engagement with live painting sessions, AR workshops for guests, and an evolving on-site exhibition.

Live painting works well in hospitality contexts because it creates a visible, engaging moment for guests over the course of a stay. Guests see the work develop, can observe the process, and in some cases participate through workshops. The completed work remains on property as part of the collection.

For events, activations, and brand partnerships, including festival appearances, corporate events, and hotel openings, availability and format depend on the specific brief and dates. Contact the studio with the event details and timeline to discuss what's possible.