Dr. Jennifer Willet
Dr. Jennifer Willet is the Director of INCUBATOR art lab and a Canada Research Chair in Art, Science and Ecology at the University of Windsor. In 2017, Willet was inducted into the College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada.
Willet is an internationally recognized artist and curator in the emerging field of BioArt. Her research resides at the intersection of art and science, and explores notions of representation, the body, ecologies, and interspecies interrelations in the biotechnological field. She engages in performance, installation, photography and sculpture based artistic practices, community arts and social practice, and philosophy of science, media studies, science and technology studies, combined with protocols and life forms from the biological sciences.
From 2000-2007 Willet and Shawn Bailey collaborated on a biological/computational art collective called BIOTEKNICA. Since 2008, Willet has also collaborated with Irish artist Kira O’Reilly resulting in numerous artworks, performances, presentations and exhibitions across Europe.
In 2009 she completed her PhD in the Interdisciplinary Humanities Program at Concordia University. She taught in Studio Arts at Concordia University (2000-2007) and at the Art and Genomics Centre at the University of Leiden (2008) in the Netherlands, and now works as an Associate Professor in the School of Creative Arts, at The University of Windsor. In 2009 she opened the first biological art lab in Canada, called INCUBATOR: Hybrid Laboratory at the Intersection of Art, Science, and Ecology. In January 2018 INCUBATOR art lab launched a new custom-built BSL2 facility that is both a functional biotech laboratory and a multi-media theatre and exhibition venue. In 2020 Willet will launch a parallel space INCUBATOR Studio, an artist studio, community engagement hub and BSL1 bioart facility.
Willet has presented her projects art various venues including: RMIT Gallery, Melbourne, Australia (2018), WAAG Society, Amsterdam (2017), Open Space, Victoria (2016), Artcite Inc. (2014), Plug In Institute for Contemporary Art, Winnipeg (2013), the Ontario Science Centre, Toronto, (2013) and Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, Toronto (2013), The Banff Centre, Alberta (2011), Arnolfini Museum, Bristol UK (2010), Exit Art Gallery, New York, NY (2009), Ars Electronica festival, Linz (2008), ISEA San Jose, USA (2006), Biennial Electronic Arts Perth, Perth, Australia (2004), The European Media Arts Festival, Osnabrück, Germany (2003), amongst others. She has conducted many residencies including: The Arctic Circle Norway (2014); The Banff Centre, Canada (2002,2007, 2010, 2011); and SymbioticA, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia (2004,2006).
Willet’s artwork is managed by IOTA Institute. For art and exhibition inquiries please contact: info@iotainstitute.com
www.iotainstitute.com
INCUBATOR art lab Team
INCUBATOR art lab has grown over the last 10 years from an artist lead studio/lab to a vibrant research community. Our team includes several student researchers and staff members from the arts and sciences as well as 50 cross-disciplinary undergraduate students annually. Without the contributions of these individuals, and the enlivened community we have built together, INCUBATOR art lab would not experience the volume and diversity of outputs we enjoy today.
We would also like to acknowledge the non-human contributors to INCUBATOR art lab research/creation including; the large colony of spirulina algae growing and oxygenating the lab in preparation for exhibition; the LB Agar sculptures growing microorganisms adding an olfactory funkiness that lingers around the incubator, amongst others.
Behzad Bolandi
Bioprinting Research AssistantBehzad is a true nature enthusiast, finding inspiration in nature. He firmly believes that our connection to nature shapes everything around us and is deeply passionate about preserving it. With a heart that beats for Engineering, Science, and Art, Behzad's journey in bio art is driven by his love for multidisciplinary exploration. Now he is doing his Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry department. One of Behzad's main focuses is designing, fabricating, and characterizing disease models using 3D bioprinting technology. His background in Tissue Engineering and Material Science fuels his curiosity, while his artistic soul adds a unique flavor to his creations. He sees his work not just as a profession but as a calling to contribute positively to society, animals, and the environment.
Instagram: @behzad.bolandii
Garvin Chinnia
Research AssistantGarvin Chinnia, erstwhile painter and embryonic bioartist, mixed-race Ukrainian and Trinidadian, hailing from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Treaty 6 territory. He holds both a BA in History/Classics from the University of Alberta, and a BFA in Visual Arts from Emily Carr University of Art and Design. While the foundation of his practice is based in more traditional media such as painting and drawing, he has moved towards further incorporation of his favourite subjects (biological organisms and themes relevant to them) as actual parts of his works/potential collaborators. He is interested in finding practical ways that an artist may contribute in our current precarious existential climate. He hopes that his studies as an MFA student at University of Windsor will lead him to these important discoveries.
www.garvinchinnia.com
Instagram: @chinniart
Gillian Hughes
Lab TechnicianGillian Hughes studied Behaviour, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Windsor, and is completing a Master's thesis on poultry behaviour and the microbiome at the University of Guelph. Gillian is currently the Bioart Lab Technician at the INCUBATOR Art Lab, and also specialize in digital illustration
Erik Helle
Research and Studio AssistantErik holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Acting and is currently pursuing a degree in Visual Art in the Built Environment at the University of Windsor. His artistic interests span various creative domains, including theatre, writing, filmmaking, drawing, and sculpting. During his time as a furniture-making assistant in Toronto, he developed a passion for design, furniture, and architecture. Erik strives to bridge his academic studies and artistic interests with his practical skills gained from working in a workshop, aiming to merge theory with hands-on experience. As an INCUBATOR Art Lab Studio and Research Assistant, Erik brings his knowledge of fabrication to the team and will be working on creating sculptural projects for the lab!
Cri Kosti
BFA Student Studio and Research AssistantCri Kosti is a visual artist that has been involved in photography and film her entire life. Currently a visual arts and film student and mother of three, Cri values human connection and feels that connection and collaboration are vital for our communities to flourish.
Instagram: @criri
Domenica Medaiti
Research Assistant and CoordinatorDomenica Mediati is an emerging Intermedia Artist and a Sessional Instructor in the Faculty of Education and School of Creative Arts at the University of Windsor. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Windsor and a Master of Fine Arts from Wayne State University. Domenica Mediati works across traditional painting and drawing, digital animation and bioart practices. Over the past four years, Domenica has been a lead team member at INCUBATOR Art Lab, a bioart laboratory and studio in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She serves as a creative and intellectual collaborator on INCUBATOR Art Lab community engagement events and leads educational outreach programming.
www.domenicamediati.com
@dombuka
Dunia Roba
BSc student Research and Lab AssistantDunia Roba is an undergraduate Biochemistry student at the University of Windsor. She is currently a Research Assistant and Lab Monitor at INCUBATOR Art Lab and was a member of the 2021-2022 Teen Art Council at Art Windsor Essex. Dunia has a passion for photography and is a member of SMART at the University of Windsor. In her spare time, Dunia enjoys scrolling Pinterest and eating sweets.
https://vsco.co/dunia-ro/gallery
Instagram: @dunia.ro
Hannah Sauve
Research and Studio AssistantHannah is a dedicated student enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Arts and Science at the University of Windsor. In the program, she studies Psychology, Biology, and Visual Arts, exploring innovative ways to integrate these disciplines in her research. Additionally, she is the BUILD Program Coordinator at the University of Windsor’s Student Accessibility Services Department. The BUILD Program, which stands for Bridge to University for Individuals with Learning Disabilities and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is designed to support the transition to university for students with documented learning disabilities and/or ADHD. During her leisure time, Hannah enjoys the company of her cherished pets and the creation of fused glass artwork. As a Research and Studio Assistant, Hannah brings her knowledge of the arts and sciences to the team.
Tina Suntres
Scientific AdvisorTina Suntres has been involved with the Incubator lab since 2012 when she took the Bioart class during her biology undergrad studies. She then completed a Masters in Biological Sciences in 2016, while still helping out in the Incubator lab as a research assistant and giving guest lectures to bioart classes. Now, she is working at the University of Windsor in the Research and Innovation Office and also completing her MBA (2021). Tina is part of the University of Windsor Research Safety Committee, and the Animal Care Committee and is currently acting as the Scientific Advisor to the Incubator lab.
Alumni Page
Link to our INCUBATOR Art Lab Alumni page to learn more about our past team members
