Perfection / Speculation in conversation with Natasha Vita-More photo Katharina Gellein Viken & Charles Kriel
Adam Peacock is a post-disciplinary artist, creative director and academic theorist working at the intersection of architecture, sculpture, fashion, and computer science. His work explores how digital infrastructures shape human behaviour, desire, and identity in an increasingly complex world.
Combining critical design, speculative fiction, and systems thinking, Peacock’s practice spans video installation, sculptural environments, large-format illustration, and participatory formats that invite viewers into complex networks of meaning. His work draws on methods from consumer psychology, genetic technology, media theory, and visual culture, unfolding across gallery, academic, and commercial contexts.
Since 2014, he has developed The Validation Junky—an ongoing research framework and experimental lens for examining how algorithmic systems codify desirability and identity, particularly in relation to subjectivity and platform capitalism. Projects have evolved through digital body scanning, engineering blueprints, data cartography, and meta-body representations within augmented and virtual environments.
Peacock’s work has been exhibited internationally across museums, galleries, biennales, research institutions, and innovation platforms. Presentations include: Arebyte Gallery, London (2014); Visible Futures Lab, SVA New York City (2015); Royal College of Art, London (2015); Architectural Association, London (2016); Fashion Space Gallery, London (2016–17); Fashion Clash Festival, Maastricht (2018); Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne (2018); Science Gallery Melbourne (2018); Science Gallery Dublin (2019); SCI-Arc Los Angeles (2020); ArtCenter, Los Angeles (2020); School of International Art, Beijing (2020); Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts & Design, Lahore (2020); Ars Electronica, Linz (2021); The Vigeland Museum, Oslo (2021); Bartlett School of Architecture, London (2022); Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico City (2022–23); Yam Gallery, Mexico City (2023); Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh (2023); and RAM Gallery, Oslo (2023), SKOG Art Space, Oslo (2026).
In parallel with his artistic practice, Peacock has developed pedagogical and research-led programmes exploring the future of fashion, technology, and identity. He is currently undertaking a ESRC supported PhD in Visual Cultures at Goldsmiths, University of London, where his work interrogates the assetisation of online identity and the optimisation of bodies through AI-driven infrastructures. From 2016–20 he served as Associate Lecturer at London College of Fashion, leading the Speculative Prototyping unit, and from 2020–24 was Visiting Professor of Future Fashion and Identity at the School of International Art, Beijing. He co-founded the Fashion/Architecture Lab and co-led the DNA of Perfection studio at the Melbourne School of Design, where he was awarded the 2018 Robert Garland Treseder Fellowship.
Peacock’s commercial and consultancy work applies speculative methodologies to real-world briefs, developing new models of engagement and innovation across brands, environments, and digital experiences. He has led and contributed to major projects for clients including Audi, Accenture, FIAT, NEOM Saudi Arabia, Stella McCartney, and the Science Gallery Network. Earlier in his career, he held architectural design roles at Amanda Levete Architects, Heatherwick Studio, and WilkinsonEyre, contributing to landmark cultural and commercial developments across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
In parallel with his artistic practice, Peacock has developed pedagogical and research-led programmes exploring the future of fashion, technology, and identity. He is currently undertaking a ESRC supported PhD in Visual Cultures at Goldsmiths, University of London, where his work interrogates the assetisation of online identity and the optimisation of bodies through AI-driven infrastructures. From 2016–20 he served as Associate Lecturer at London College of Fashion, leading the Speculative Prototyping unit, and from 2020–24 was Visiting Professor of Future Fashion and Identity at the School of International Art, Beijing. He co-founded the Fashion/Architecture Lab and co-led the DNA of Perfection studio at the Melbourne School of Design, where he was awarded the 2018 Robert Garland Treseder Fellowship.
Peacock’s commercial and consultancy work applies speculative methodologies to real-world briefs, developing new models of engagement and innovation across brands, environments, and digital experiences. He has led and contributed to major projects for clients including Audi, Accenture, FIAT, NEOM Saudi Arabia, Stella McCartney, and the Science Gallery Network. Earlier in his career, he held architectural design roles at Amanda Levete Architects, Heatherwick Studio, and WilkinsonEyre, contributing to landmark cultural and commercial developments across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
photo Daniel Slotvik
Genetics Gym Development, photo John Duff
“It's an interesting moment to be an artist and designer, economically speaking. I believe that the most relevant contemporary artists, architects and designers of our time will not just investigate the buildings, objects, clothes, cars we use, but the technological infrastructures that we inhabit, psychologically and culturally.
When we start to confront these design realms, it’s important to have the perspective to understand that what you might consider perfect, ideal or utopian might well be another person's dystopia.
This is particularly interesting when you start to consider the possibilities of synthetic biology, genome editing, and artificial intelligence. I believe that these conversations, through artistic design processes, whether architectural, fashion, or industrial, will be some of the most important design challenges of our time”
Excerpt taken from an interview with Melbourne School of Design available here
