The world of digital art is evolving at a rapid pace, and Natively Digital stands at the forefront of this transformation. This groundbreaking curated NFT sale brings together a diverse collection of pioneering digital artworks, spanning the earliest experiments in blockchain-based creativity to today’s most technically advanced NFTs. Co-curated with renowned crypto artist Robert Alice, Natively Digital celebrates the artistic and technological evolution of NFTs across pre-Ethereum blockchains and modern decentralized platforms.
Featuring contributions from artists across four continents—from emerging talents to recognized pioneers—the exhibition showcases the global reach and cultural significance of native digital art. The multi-venue global showcase highlights how NFTs are not just digital assets but powerful expressions of identity, innovation, and decentralization.
👉 Discover the future of digital art collecting today.
The Vision Behind Natively Digital
Natively Digital is more than an auction—it's a cultural moment. Designed to spotlight the core ideas, aesthetics, and philosophies embedded in early and contemporary NFTs, the sale invites collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts to engage deeply with the medium. From pixelated proofs-of-concept minted on obscure chains to algorithmically generated masterpieces, each piece reflects a unique chapter in the history of digital ownership.
The auction will take place online from June 3 to June 10 at sothebys.com, offering global access to some of the most significant works in the crypto art movement. These pieces aren’t merely collectibles; they represent milestones in how artists use blockchain technology to redefine authorship, provenance, and audience engagement.
Robert Alice: A Pioneer in Crypto Art
At the heart of Natively Digital is Robert Alice, a London-based artist widely recognized as one of the leading figures in the crypto art space. His most notable project, Portraits of a Mind (2019–present), is a revolutionary artistic exploration of Bitcoin’s decentralized nature. The work consists of 40 physical-digital hybrid fragments, each containing a portion of Bitcoin’s source code, distributed across 15 cities on four continents.
This globally decentralized artwork resides in private collections, institutions, and public spaces—from San Francisco to Tokyo—with additional institutional placements set to be announced later in 2025. By scattering the code across the world, Robert Alice transforms abstract cryptographic principles into tangible cultural artifacts, blurring the line between technology and fine art.
His curation for Natively Digital reflects this same ethos: honoring the technical roots of NFTs while pushing their creative boundaries forward.
Innovation in Display: Samsung’s Role in Showcasing NFT Art
To bring these digital works to life, Sotheby’s has partnered with Samsung to create immersive viewing experiences in galleries across New York City, London, and Hong Kong. Using Samsung’s cutting-edge display technology, the exhibition ensures that every nuance of color, motion, and detail is preserved.
Featured displays include:
- Samsung QLED TVs, delivering bright, vivid colors with 100% color volume for lifelike representation.
- The Frame TV, designed to resemble traditional canvas art when not in use, seamlessly blending digital art into physical spaces.
- The Premiere ultra-short throw 4K projector, enabling large-scale presentations of intricate digital pieces with stunning clarity.
These technologies elevate NFTs beyond screensavers or social media posts—they become gallery-worthy installations, challenging traditional notions of where and how art should be viewed.
👉 See how next-generation platforms are redefining digital ownership.
Supporting Artists: Sevens Foundation & Mint Foundation
Beyond curation and display, Natively Digital emphasizes community empowerment and equitable access in the digital art world.
Sevens Foundation
A non-profit dedicated to uplifting artists through exhibitions and grant programs, Sevens Foundation operates with a mission-driven model. It connects curators, institutions, and creators through charitable initiatives, taking zero profits and offering pro-bono support. By focusing on benevolent collaboration, it ensures that artistic expression remains accessible and impactful.
Mint Foundation
As a community-run initiative, Mint Foundation supports international creators—particularly those from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities—in minting their first NFTs. Since its launch in February 2021, the Mint Fund has received over 33 Ether in donations, covering gas fees for artists who might otherwise face financial barriers to entry. In addition to funding, the foundation provides mentorship and guidance on navigating the crypto ecosystem safely and effectively.
These partnerships reflect a broader commitment: ensuring that the future of digital art is inclusive, diverse, and artist-first.
Sustainability and Impact: Regen Network
Art and ecology converge through Regen Network, an open marketplace for climate solutions. Their platform aligns economic incentives with ecological restoration by enabling land stewards to monetize ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and soil regeneration.
Through the Regen Registry, farmers and conservationists can sell verified environmental benefits to global buyers, creating a transparent, blockchain-powered system for reversing climate change. This integration into Natively Digital underscores a growing trend: using blockchain not just for art ownership, but for planetary stewardship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes Natively Digital different from other NFT auctions?
A: Unlike speculative marketplaces, Natively Digital focuses on artistic significance, historical context, and technical innovation. Each piece is carefully selected to reflect key moments in the evolution of NFTs.
Q: Who can participate in the auction?
A: The auction is open globally via sothebys.com from June 3 to June 10. Bidders need only register on Sotheby’s website—no prior crypto experience required.
Q: Are these NFTs compatible with major wallets?
A: Most works are built on Ethereum or widely supported blockchains, ensuring compatibility with popular wallets like MetaMask and Trust Wallet.
Q: How does blockchain enhance art ownership?
A: Blockchain provides immutable proof of authenticity and ownership history, solving long-standing issues of forgery and provenance in traditional art markets.
Q: Can I view the NFTs before bidding?
A: Yes—physical exhibitions featuring high-resolution displays are available in New York, London, and Hong Kong through Samsung-powered installations.
Q: Is this sale environmentally responsible?
A: Many participating artists and partners prioritize sustainability. Regen Network’s involvement also supports real-world ecological impact through blockchain-enabled conservation efforts.
👉 Join the movement shaping the future of art and technology.
Keywords
NFT art, digital collectibles, blockchain art, crypto artists, NFT auction, Robert Alice, Sotheby’s NFT sale, native digital art
By combining historical depth, technological innovation, and social impact, Natively Digital sets a new standard for what an NFT exhibition can achieve. It’s not just about buying digital files—it’s about owning a piece of cultural history.