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, Picture Berlin, Activation Residency, Pocoapoco, and BAX Arts. 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, The School of Making & Thinking, and Abrons Arts Center. Howard received an MFA and Certificate in Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies from The University of Pennsylvania.
They teach Disabled Erotics with The School of Making & Thinking, are a 2025-2026 Fellow with A.I.R. Gallery, and a forthcoming Artist-in-Residence at Pioneer Works in 2026.
Headshot Credit: Ry Noor