In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, cultural influencer Pearl Lam sits with art aficionado, lawyer and art magazine writer Daniel McClean who regularly writes and produces shows in the art world. To Pearl Lam’s delight, this is a man who wears many hats and who has also authored and edited several books while acting as an independent curator with commercial gallery experience. “I see the good, the bad and the ugly,” says Daniel McClean about his bird’s eye view of the ever-changing art business.

The duo discusses the importance of authentication as Pearl Lam draws viewers to the fact that despite the increasing digitalisation the art world is enduring, people’s interest in Old Masters is actually being revived instead of dwindling. This is where Daniel McClean shares his experience, using an example where AI authenticated a Caravaggio in an auction. The lawyer believes that artificial intelligence could provide valuable assistance in this process, with careful human guidance, since he doesn’t believe that AI-authentication could be entirely definitive.

This illuminating episode also delves into blockchain technology, the rising concerns of maintaining legacy through art, the changing role of art custodians and how art is currently being showcased and curated in exciting new ways.