Ernest Edmonds: Networked

A pioneer in the development of computational art, Ernest Edmonds’ work represents a prominent milestone
in the fields of generative and interactive art. Underpinned by Concrete, Constructivist, and colour field
artistic traditions, a focus on structures and interactions are vital to Edmonds’ practice. Specialising in creative
computing, the artist’s research into human perception has shaped elementary computer-generated forms in
arresting colours. Born in London, Edmonds studied Mathematics and Philosophy, and garnered a PhD in
Logic. In his art-making Edmonds moved from oils and acrylics to his first use of a computer in 1968, going
on to show his first computer-based interactive work with Stroud Cornock in 1970, his first networked piece
in 1971, and his first generative time-based video, Fragment, in 1985. In 2017, Edmonds was awarded the ACM
SIGGRAPH Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement in Digital Art. He has exhibited across the
world, from Moscow to London, Berlin, Washington DC, Rotterdam, Beijing and Sydney. In Rio de Janeiro,
2015, he exhibited with other pioneers, Harold Cohen, Frieder Nake and Paul Brown and in Venice, 2017, he was
part of another major exhibition of pioneer computer artists with Manfred Mohr, Vera Molnar, Frieder Nake
and Roman Verotkso. Edmonds’ retrospective exhibitions include ones at Microsoft Research Asia, Beijing,
De Montfort University, Leicester and Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney. He has written many publications on
computer art, human-computer interaction, and creativity.