loyola university chicago, where she teaches a course in “biology through art,”

Biography

Hunter Cole is both an internationally shown artist and also experienced geneticist. Hunter Cole reinterprets science as art through abstractions, digital art, installations, and living art. She holds a Ph.D.

Research Projects

Cole is currently working on Life with Endometriosis, an multimedia art installation about the difficulties women have living with endometriosis. Endometriosis is a disease where endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus in other parts of the body. One in ten women have endometriosis. Endometriosis can cause extreme pain and infertility.

Who is Hunter Cole?

Hunter Cole is an artist who combines drawing with photography using the medium of bioluminescent bacteria — bacteria which produces its own light. A New Orleans-based artist, Cole is known for her work, which reinterprets science through art. She has worked in various media including painting, drawing, digital media, video, music and sound, and multi-media installations. Cole holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree in genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of California-Berkeley. Currently, she is a professor in the Biology Department at Loyola University New Orleans, where she teaches a course in “Biology Through Art,” where students work to create art based on biological concepts. Visit her website at www.huntercole.org

What is the living light exhibit?

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Art and science come together in a mesmerizing new multimedia exhibit entitled Living Light: Photographs by Light of Bioluminescent Bacteria (Living Light), on display October 5 – November 28 in the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center theatre lounge (6621 St. Claude Ave). The exhibit is produced by New Orleans artist and Loyola University geneticist, Hunter Cole, who produces pieces that are inspired by science but literally live as art through the otherworldly glow of the bioluminescent bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum. Cole is widely recognized among the innovators in the art/science genre and is one of the first artists to produce significant works using bioluminescent light. The unique solo show features photographs of human figures (portraits; dancers; installations) illuminated by a glowing blue light created by bioluminescent bacteria.

What is living light?

Living Light will feature a survey of Cole’s bioluminescent art during the period 2005 to 2018, showcasing of human figures (portraits; dancers; installations) illuminated by a glowing blue light created by bioluminescent bacteria. Cole creates liquid cultures of bacteria, then draws the bacteria into different shapes on Petri dishes using a paintbrush. Finally, she photographs the glowing petri dishes alongside her subjects to create modern works of provocative symbolism.