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 queer 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 queer storytelling. Using a point-and-shoot camera and portable audio equipment as spatial and temporal extensions of my body, I reflect on how a queer individual navigates 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: 18th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, 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
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
06.2024    NES, Skagaströnd, Iceland

professional 
2024 - Present    Assistant Curator, Asian Arts Initiative, Philadelphia, USA
2024 - Present    Radio Host, Hong Kong Community Radio, Remote
2023 - Present    Visitor Services Assistant, Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia, USA
2022 - Present    On-Call A/V Technician, Asian Arts Initiative, Philadelphia, USA
2022 - 2024        Studio Assistant, Akeem Smith, Philadelphia, USA
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