currently in  —  PHILADELPHIA, USA

  
I am Cole Roberts, a multimedia artist, music producer, and radio host based in Philadelphia. I am currently working at the intersection of sound and photographic documentation, exploring the ephemeral nature of these mediums to challenge and reconfigure the representation of contemporary  life. In my current and ongoing multimodal series, Threnodies, I merge stark, unembellished documentary photography of the natural world with ambient and electro-acoustic soundscapes to investigate the varying forms and networks of storytelling. Using a point-and-shoot camera and portable audio equipment as spatial and temporal extensions of my body, I reflect on how I navigate spaces that are personal, transitional, public, and collectively remembered and forgotten.

Since 2022, I have been remotely producing and hosting how not to unsee, a monthly experimental radio show on Hong Kong Community Radio and SWIM Radio. The show showcases curated music, field recordings, and spoken word, creating an immersive sonic environment that evokes an intimate non-existent film's naturalistic foley, soundtrack, and dialogue.


education
2018  -  2022   BFA Sculpture - Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA    

group exhibitions
2024 - Spákonuhof Kynna, Museum of Profecies, Skagaströnd, Iceland
2024 - Opið Hús, NES Artist Residency Studio, Skagaströnd, Iceland
2024 - Intimacy, William Way Community Center, Philadelphia, USA
2022 - From When I Looked Again for the First Time, Lubov Gallery, New York, USA
2022 - every reward constitutes a degradation of energy, Straw Gallery, Philadelphia, USA
2022 - Temple Of Joy, Temple Contemporary Gallery, Philadelphia, USA
2022 - Animated Architecture, Tyler School of Art Architecture Gallery, Philadelphia, USA
2022 - site/line, Tyler School of Art Atrium Gallery, Philadelphia, USA
2022 - Pier Review, Cherry Street Pier, Philadelphia, USA
2021 - Tiny Biennale, Temple University Rome Campus Gallery, Rome, Italy

solo exhibitions
2022 - Body Of, Stella Elkins Gallery, Philadelphia PA
2021 - Gravity & Grace / Void & Compensation, Straw Gallery, Philadelphia PA

performances
05.11.25 - Chilladelphia w/ w/ Joshua Marquez & Cole Roberts (watch here)
10.20.24 - Chilladelphia w/ Joshua Marquez & Cole Roberts  (watch here)
10.06.24 - A Night of Experimental Music w/ Atomic Mnemonic, Collapsing & Cole Roberts    

residencies
01.2026 - Studio Kura, Itoshima, Japan (upcoming)
06.2024 - NES, Skagaströnd, Iceland

professional 
2025 - Present - Exhibitions Assistant, Asian Arts Initiative, Philadelphia, USA, Hybrid, Full-time
2025 - 2025 - Curatorial Assistant for Crescendo: How Art Makes Movements (1981-1999), Asian Arts Initiative, Philadelphia, USA, In-person, Contract
2022 - 2025 - On-Call A/V Technician, Asian Arts Initiative, Philadelphia, USA, In-Person, Contracted
2024 - Present - Radio Host, Hong Kong Community Radio, Remote
2023 - 2025 - Visitor Services Assistant, Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia, USA, In-person, Full-time
2022 - 2024 - Studio Assistant, Akeem Smith, Philadelphia, USA, In-person, Contracted
2023 - Studio Assistant, Anne Ishii, Philadelphia, USA
2021 - Studio Assistant/ Upholster, BBDW, Philadelphia, USA
2020 - Studio Assistant, Pietro Ruffo, Rome, Italy
2019 - Studio Assistant, Nichola Kinch, Philadelphia, USA
2018 - 2022 - Information Technology Help Desk Technician, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA