As an image based artist Stefan Petranek (b. 1977) works across mediums that range from historic photographs to video sculptures that combine digital projection technologies onto a variety of 3D forms and surfaces. Working with subjects that range from genetics to climate change, his work explores how contemporary culture, especially through advances in science and technology, affects our perception of nature and how we define it today.

Petranek’s photographic and video work have been exhibited widely in the U.S. as well as appearing internationally. Recently awarded the 2018 Christel DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award, his series The Future is Broken about the current state and projected future of climate change has garnered notable attention and was recently exhibited in FotoFocus’ Auto//Update exhibition and Creative Advocay’s Collective Voices exhibition in 2019 among others. Petranek’s Brain Tumor Diaries, Genotyping and Genetic Portrait Project series have also received critical recognition including a review by Lenscratch, publication in Front Line Genomics Magazine, and Manifest Press’ contemporary fine art photography book INPHA3 to name a few. He currently resides with his family in Indianapolis where he is an Associate Professor of Photography and Intermedia at Indiana University’s Herron School of Art & Design.