The C.M. Russell Museum is pleased to offer the first NFT (Non-Fungible Token) in the history of The Russell. In an exciting partnership with artist Ben Pease, the auction for the Pease NFT will begin on Saturday, August 21.
What is an NFT? An NFT is a digital asset that represents music, photographs, and even art. Typically, NFTs are one-of-a-kind and contain software that ensures their authenticity and can also track the chain of ownership. NFTs are normally purchased with cryptocurrency although recent sales at major auction houses have accepted other forms of payment. To learn more about NFTs, click here to read an article from Forbes.
This work by Ben Pease is an exciting opportunity for a collector to enter into the world of NFTs. Geographically and historically relevant to our region, the landscape oil painting will be photographed to create the digital asset. In addition to the image, which can be displayed in a digital frame, the buyer will unlock a geographic tag that reveals the location depicted in the painting. Ben Pease has also created a documentary film showcasing his artistic method and what drove his inspiration. . After the painting has been digitized, Pease will burn the original to create a tube of oil paint by mixing the ashes of the painting with earth pigment and bone ash sourced from the specific location. The successful bidder will receive the paint tube in a customized parflesche box with a USB containing a digital copy of the painting, a fine small print of the painting, along with a physical certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.
Stay tuned for an image of the work, buyers conditions of sale, and bidding instructions.