Kevin Cooley (1975) is an American artist based in Los Angeles who works across photography, video, and public installations. His work explores humanity’s relationship with the five classical elements – earth, air, fire, water, and aether – using a systems-based approach to examine environmental themes and the impact of technology. He challenges viewers to reflect on the sustainability of modern living and the psychological and practical struggles associated with environmental degradation. Cooley earned his M.F.A. in Photography from the School of Visual Arts in New York. His works have been featured in solo exhibitions, including Exploded Views at Laney Contemporary in Savannah, Georgia, and Still Burning at Kopeikin Gallery in Los Angeles. His public art installations include commissions for the Shay Hotel in Culver City and the California Air Resources Board in Riverside. Cooley’s work is housed in major public collections, including the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He has been nominated for the Prix Pictet in 2021. His focus on climate change, environmental degradation, and human survival have garnered critical attention, with features in Time Magazine, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, and Harper’s Magazine.