"Developing your opinions and your taste doesn't require hours of research; it's about looking closely, reflecting, and allowing art to speak to you. More than anything, it's about being playful–following threads for the joy of it."

In an NFT landscape often dominated by market dynamics and technological jargon, Lara Curran's voice stands out for its deeply personal approach to digital art criticism. Through her Substack publication Render_output and her work leading content at NFT marketplace Rarible, Curran has developed a distinctive style of engagement that celebrates the emotional resonance of digital art while making the space more accessible to newcomers.

Curran's journey to becoming a voice in Web3 culture follows an unexpected trajectory. Growing up in rural Ireland in the 1990s instilled in her a connection to nature and physical reality that initially positioned her at odds with digital technology.

“Honestly, I spent many years feeling pretty suspicious of technology,” she admits. “A lot of how I understand myself and the people and systems around me comes from my relationship with nature, with physical reality, and with art.”

This tension between the natural and digital worlds might seem like a barrier to engaging with NFTs and blockchain technology. For Curran, however, it became the foundation for a unique critical perspective that bridges traditional art theory with emerging digital forms.

Her academic background in art theory provides analytical tools that inform her approach to digital art. "It gives me a strong foundation for spotting themes and historical references in digital art and understanding how an artist's work might fit into different social and historical contexts,” she explains. However, she acknowledges a disconnect between traditional art history and the NFT space, “Many artists are entirely digitally native and don't consciously reference art history, so I have to work harder to understand their work in the correct context. Digital art is woefully under-represented in academia.”

At the heart of Curran's approach to criticism is a rejection of the distanced, authoritative voice often associated with art writing. Instead, her work on Render_output embraces subjectivity and emotional response as valid critical frameworks.

“I document my personal encounters with art that I love, in a style that I hope is honest and engaging,” she says of her Substack.

Her methodology begins with direct engagement, "I always go straight to the artwork. I like to sit with a work and see how it feels, how it behaves, and what kind of thoughts it evokes. I'll pull up the artwork on my screen, grab a pen and paper, and just write everything that comes to mind, stream-of-consciousness style. I'll be taking notes of colours, textures, feelings, memories, associations."

This approach is as political as it is stylistic, Lara argues for a more democratic approach to art criticism, one where authority comes from genuine interest rather than institutional credentials.

In her role at Rarible, Curran occupies a unique position at the intersection of artists, technology, and audiences. This vantage point allows her to observe how blockchain technology is reshaping traditional relationships in the art world.

“Blockchain technology has created an environment where the size of an artist's purchasing audience has increased massively,”

she observes.

“Uncurtailed by their physical location, artists can sell their work globally and don't necessarily need to worry about shipping physical items.”

“Artists who may have been historically excluded from traditional art markets now have access to NFT marketplaces that generally do not discriminate,” Curran points out, highlighting one of the transformative potentials of the technology.

Her dual position as both critic and marketplace content lead gives her writing a pragmatic dimension that balances theoretical exploration with practical insights. At Rarible, she interviews artists at various career stages, from established names to emerging talents, providing a panoramic view of the digital art ecosystem. “It's very inspiring to hear from so many creative people.”

For those entering the often male-dominated world of crypto and NFTs, Curran offers both practical advice and a vision of community that counters the space's sometimes alienating aspects.

“It can feel like a bit of a boys club,” she acknowledges. Her recommendation is threefold, “Make a plan of action, work hard and find your tribe.”

When asked about being a woman in the space, Curran takes a nuanced view, “Honestly, I think about my work in this space far more than I think about my gender within it. Being a woman in Web3 is not a singular, monolithic experience–everyone's path is different.” She adds, “I do believe that more diverse voices in crypto are essential and I'm excited to be part of that shift. I make an effort to amplify women's work when it resonates with me and my beliefs.”

This emphasis on community-building echoes her own formative experiences in art theory education. “When I did my MA in art theory, it was a class of 16 women, each of them vastly different, immensely talented, and crazy smart,” she recalls. “I highly recommend that everyone finds themselves a coven of creative witches to be part of for a while!”

The metaphor of a “coven” is particularly apt, suggesting a collective power that emerges when creative women gather. In the NFT space, she cites writers like Nina Knaack, curators like Nygilia and Juujuumama, and artists such as Lilyillo and Littlecakes as members of her extended digital coven.

Curran's approach to community-building centers on a principle of generosity, creating genuine value for the artists she features in her writing. “I want artists to smile when they see their work through my eyes.”

While she's modest about claiming direct impact, she believes in writing's cumulative effect, “Both my personal writing and my work at Rarible contribute to the broader patchwork of an artist's story. Recognition isn't always instant but consistent storytelling plays a crucial role in building an artist's legacy.”

Lara’s approach to art criticism is one of abundance, focused on strengthening relationships between critics, artists, and audiences. “If you care about something, you have to give it your all, and I believe community flows naturally from there.”

For newcomers to the space, she recommends starting a blog or website as a way to document learning and establish a presence. “Having some kind of public-facing expression of who you are is key to making an impact,” she advises, “and while social media platforms are important, they don't grant you as much creative freedom as you have on your blog or website.”

Looking to the future, Curran envisions creating work that elevates the discourse around NFTs and digital art to match its historical significance, despite the challenges of documenting such a rapidly evolving space.

“I would love to see more rigorous research and reflection in this space and I intend to create something that deepens the conversation around NFTs and digital art.”

To combat the fast-paced nature of the digital art world, Lara has developed a focused approach, “Writing about art that resonates with my lived experiences helps me focus. Otherwise, I would be overwhelmed by the pressure to write about everything!”\

By documenting, analysing, and contextualising current creations, she aims to help build a substantive critical framework for understanding this period of rapid innovation. Her emphasis on playfulness and personal connection ensures that even complex analysis remains accessible.

In a digital art landscape often pulled between market hype and technical specifications, Lara Curran's voice offers a reminder that technology serves human expression and that the ultimate value of art–digital or otherwise–lies in its ability to create meaningful connections. Through her writing, she invites readers to slow down, look closely, and discover the joy that comes from truly engaging with the art that moves us.

Lara Curran is a writer and cultural critic focusing on NFT art and online culture. She also leads content at Rarible, an NFT marketplace and infrastructure company. Follow her work on Substack at render_output or on Twitter/X at @Lara_curran_.