Mae Howard’s interdisciplinary approach extends across research-based, participatory, and collaborative projects. Calling upon lineages of disabled labor economies, Mae is interested in the embodied, fleshly, and material enmeshment of BDSM, the medical-carceral industrial complex, leather histories, biopolitics, and debilitation. Their work as an artist is directly informed by their work as an organizer and access consultant.
They are an alumna of the Whitney Independent Study Studio Program and have recently completed residencies at BRIClab, ACRE, Pocoapoco, and Picture Berlin. Their work has been screened and exhibited at Dia Chelsea, GHOSTMACHINE, Westbeth Gallery, Vox Populi, Atelier Gallery, Automat Gallery, Ingrown Gallery, tête, and gr__und. Howard has taught, given lectures and participated on panels at the Migros Museum, Max Planck Institute, KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Pratt University, Dia Art Foundation, Brown University, Smith College, University of Pennsylvania, most recently having taught Disabled Erotics with The School of Making & Thinking. Howard received an MFA and Certificate in Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies from The University of Pennsylvania.
They is a 2025-2026 Fellow with A.I.R. Gallery, a forthcoming Artist-in-Residence at Pioneer Works and 2026 Fellow in the Queer Art Mentorship Program.
Headshot Credit: Ry Noor