Mark Wilson

Mark Wilson was born in 1943 in Oregon. He studied at Pomona College and earned his MFA from Yale University in 1967. Originally trained as a painter, Wilson began exploring computer-generated art in 1980 after purchasing a Texas Instruments 99/4a microcomputer and teaching himself programming. This marked a shift from traditional painting to creating artworks through software he wrote himself.

His art is grounded in the systematic exploration of algorithms as a creative tool. He viewed programming as an extension of procedural art practices, drawing parallels between his computer-generated work and earlier methods like Jackson Pollock’s drip paintings or Sol LeWitt’s conceptual instructions. His process involves writing software that iteratively generates complex geometric patterns, often layering multiple matrices and mathematical transformations such as pixel mapping, polar coordinates, and three-dimensional skewing. This approach results in images that are simultaneously precise and organic, where chance plays a role in certain randomized elements chosen by the machine. Wilson’s early output was largely monochrome line drawings created by pen plotters, evoking technical diagrams and engineering blueprints, while his later adoption of large-format inkjet printing introduced vibrant color and greater depth, allowing for more painterly effects. His work bridges traditional drafting tools and digital techniques, reflecting a dialogue between analog craft and emerging technology, and challenges conventional definitions of authorship, control, and creativity in art.

Wilson faced significant resistance early on, often applying for grants as a painter because many institutions refused to support computer-generated work. One foundation even explicitly declined to fund his art simply because it was made with a computer. Over time, however, his persistence paid off and his work has been exhibited in major museums such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Portland Art Museum, and the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art. His 1985 book Drawing with Computers remains a foundational text for creative coders.