Spencer holds a B.A. in Visual Media with a minor in Cinema Studies from The American University in Washington, D.C. As an undergraduate, he was sponsored by Czech author and screenwriter Arnošt Lustig to attend FAMU, the Czech National Film School in Prague. He was also one of 13 students selected nationally by historian Dr. Douglas Brinkley for The Majic Bus, a groundbreaking experiential learning program that traveled to 46 states, studying Geography of the American Civil Rights Struggle, American Intellectual History, American Road Literature and American Social history in the precise locations where history occurred.
Spencer’s film and art works have exhibited internationally, including multiple showings at Art Basel | Miami Beach and institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD). In 2025, he exhibited in Social Photography XI at Carriage Trade Gallery, curated by Peter Scott. In 2024, his work Solastalgia exhibited in Steal My Sunshine, curated by Marlee Katz Snow / Collect Bean.
In 2023, Spencer’s essay on Marcel Duchamp’s 1963 retrospective at the Norton Simon Museum was published by Pasadena Magazine (Editor: Malina Saval). That same year, his work was featured on the front page of the New York Times Arts Section as part of The Patriot group show at O’Flaherty’s, curated by Jamian Juliano-Villani and Billy Grant.
Spencer’s artwork has been auctioned to benefit the Center for Art Law (Capsule Auctions, Paddle8) and featured in the publication Simultaneous Soloists (Pioneer Press) on the work of Anthony McCall.
As a filmmaker, Spencer directed the official music video for Joan as Police Woman’s Warning Bell (featured in The Atlantic), and edited/sound designed Rashid Johnson’s Samuel in Space for Ballroom Marfa, now part of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ permanent collection and exhibited internationally at The Guggenheim, Hauser & Wirth, the McNay Art Museum, the National Gallery of Canada, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver.
Spencer’s commercial work includes directing films and creative campaigns for clients such as Hudson’s Bay Company, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nike, CBS, Juice Press, Food Network, Lord & Taylor, and Honor, with features in W Magazine, The Atlantic, The Guardian, and others. In 2013, he co-concepted the foundational branding for Juice Press, creating the visual and film language that grew the brand from a single store to a national presence.
His early documentary feature Swing State captured the 2006 Ohio governor’s race and holds the one-day attendance record at the Cleveland International Film Festival. Spencer also served as a story consultant and editor on Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis (dir. Mary Jordan, prod. Richard Prince), named one of Entertainment Weekly's Top 10 Films of 2006.
Spencer’s fashion film for Honor, featuring models Xiao Wen Ju, Josephine Skriver, and Anne-Sophie Monrad, premiered on W Magazine’s platform with a soundtrack by Here We Go Magic. His work has also inspired multiple couture collections at New York Fashion Week and the Emmys Red Carpet (notably, Zosia Mamet’s 2013 gown based on Spencer’s piece The New Sky.
Spencer’s artwork continues to raise funds for not-for-profit galleries, emerging artist grants, and organizations supporting the arts.
Artists he has exhibited alongside include Tracy Emin, Lauren Yeager, Dash Snow, Sean Lennon, Gwenn Thomas, Azikiwe Mohammed, Spencer Sweeney, Fred Gutzeit, R.H. Quaytman, Ricky Powell, Carmen Winant, Hildur Jonsson, Jennifer McDermott, Bert Stern, Dan Loxton, and many others.
In addition to his professional practice, Spencer is a children’s educator in art and film, and mentors undergraduate and graduate filmmakers at his alma mater.
About The Majic Bus:
During The Majic Bus journey, Spencer studied firsthand with cultural icons including Kurt Vonnegut, Hunter S. Thompson, Toni Morrison, Arthur Miller, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Townes Van Zandt, Melba Patillo Beals, Allen Ginsberg, and others — often visiting them at their homes. Standout memories include restoring Bill Clinton’s boyhood home in Hope, Arkansas; walking Lowell, MA one-on-one with Ginsberg; discussing Hell’s Angels with Hunter S. Thompson at Owl Farm; and learning music at the Maple Leaf with Townes Van Zandt. The program's focus was to study American cultural history where it happened, and this experience remains foundational to his work.
For updates from the studio:
2025
Musée Magazine, Social Photography XI, Carriage Trade, New York, NY
2024
The Times-Standard, (UU)ater Exhibition, Tuxford Gallery, Eureka, CA
2023
Artforum, Landscape/Cityscape, Abattoir Gallery, Cleveland, OH
Pasadena Magazine, Essay on Marcel Duchamp and the Norton Simon Museum. Editor: Malina Saval
Cool Cleveland, Landscape/Cityscape, Abattoir Gallery, Cleveland, OH
Artforum Must See, Social Photography X, Carriage Trade, New York, NY
2022
Vogue, Spirit of Peace II, Root Hotels, Istanbul, Türkiye
InStyle, Spirit of Peace II, Root Hotels, Istanbul, Türkiye
Sanat Istanbul, Spirit of Peace II, Root Hotels, Istanbul, Türkiye
Stopwatch Istanbul, Spirit of Peace II, Root Hotels, Istanbul, Türkiye
New York Times, Divine Excess on Avenue C and Was This the Art Party of the Summer? (The Patriot, O'Flaherty's)
Artnews, A Lower East Side Gallery Threw a Bonkers 200+ Artist Opening (The Patriot, O'Flaherty’s)
Cultured Magazine, New York Gallery O'Flaherty's Packed the Street (The Patriot, O'Flaherty’s)
TimeOut New York, The NYPD Shut Down This Art Opening After Thousands of Art Lovers Turned Up
2021
Art Miami Magazine, coverage of Satellite Art Fair
Whitehot Magazine, Social Photography IX, Carriage Trade, New York
TheGuide.art, Social Photography IX, Carriage Trade, New York
2020
Artforum Must See, Social Photography VIII, Carriage Trade, New York
Artsy, Social Photography VIII, Carriage Trade, New York
Cleveland.com, Steven Litt, Small Works, Abattoir Gallery, Cleveland, OH
Artnews, Coverage of Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit Rapid Response
2019
Observer, Social Photography VII, Carriage Trade, New York
Cultured Magazine, Social Photography VII, Carriage Trade, New York
2018
The Guardian, Music Video for Joan as Police Woman, "Warning Bell"
Artnet, Editor's Picks: Social Photography VI, Carriage Trade, New York
Brooklyn Rail, Social Photography VI, Carriage Trade, New York
2017
Brooklyn Vegan, Music Video for Joan as Police Woman, "Warning Bell"
DIY Magazine, Joan as Police Woman: "Warning Bell" Video Feature
MXDWN Magazine, Joan as Police Woman Takes a Night Ride in "Warning Bell"
Northern Transmissions, Joan as Police Woman, "Warning Bell"
2015
West Side Spirit, Our Lower East Side
2014
The Lo Down, My LES: H. Spencer Young
Complex Magazine, Natalie White vs. Marilyn Monroe + Now You See, Rox Gallery
Untitled Magazine, Marilyn Monroe vs. Natalie White + Now You See, Rox Gallery
2013
Complex Magazine, Katz’s Deli Hosts a Mouth-Watering Art Show
First We Feast, Inside the Katz's Pop-Up Art Gallery
Riot Material, Ascension, Rox Gallery
West Side Spirit, Lower Art Side
NY Artbeat, Ascension, Rox Gallery
Untitled Magazine, Marilyn Monroe vs. Natalie White + Now You See, Rox Gallery
2012
Zoe Report, Fantasy Fashion Film for Honor's Spring 2012 Collection
W Magazine (Premiere), Honor 2012 Collection/Runway Film
WGSN, Honor's Spring/Summer 2012 Film
Kenton Magazine, Honor E-Commerce Launch Film
New York Girl Style, Inspiring Fashion Film from H Spencer Young
2010
Blackbook Magazine, Goodnight Mr. Lewis, featuring photographs by H Spencer Young
2025
Social Photography XI, Carriage Trade, Group Exhibition, New York, NY. Curator: Peter Scott
Rashid Johnson’s Samuel in Space (edited and sound designed by H Spencer Young) exhibiting in A Poem for Deep Thinkers, Guggenheim Museum, New York
Returning Mentor, MFA Film Program, American University, School of Communication
2024
Steal My Sunshine, Group Exhibition. Curator: Marlee Katz Snow
(UU)ater Exhibition, Tuxford Gallery, Eureka, CA. Curators: Ian Breidenbach, Adam Farcus
(UU)ater Zine Feature, Utopian Megapraxis Collective. Curators: Ian Breidenbach, Adam Farcus
Returning Mentor, MFA Film Program, American University, School of Communication
Returning Teaching Artist, Visual Art, Filmmaking, Painting, Photography, Manhattan Youth, New York, NY
2023
Essay on Marcel Duchamp and the Norton Simon Museum published, Pasadena Magazine. Editor: Malina Saval
Returning Mentor, MFA Film Program, American University, School of Communication
Returning Teaching Artist, Visual Art, Filmmaking, Painting, Photography, Manhattan Youth, New York, NY
2022
Art Basel Miami, Untitled Art Fair, exhibiting with Beverly’s. Curator: Leah Dixon
Social Photography X, Carriage Trade, Online Preview Exhibition, New York
Interlocutor, Two-Person Exhibition with Jennifer McDermott. Curator: Clifford Owens, Art Club, New York
Spirit of Peace II, Group Exhibition, Root Hotels, Istanbul, Türkiye. Curator: Pinar Goodstone
ecoartspace, I AM WATER Finalist; Drought, Billboard Installations, Brooklyn, NY and North Adams, MA. Curator: Patricia Lea Watts
Samuel in Space (edited and sound designed by H Spencer Young) acquired by the Detroit Institute of Arts
New York Times coverage: “Divine Excess on Avenue C” and “Was This the Art Party of the Summer?” for The Patriot, O’Flaherty’s, New York
Interview, “Media in the Mix” podcast, American University, School of Communication
2021
Art Basel Miami, Satellite Art Fair. Curator: Brian Andrew Whiteley
Social Photography IX Catalog, Carriage Trade, New York
Small Works, Group Exhibition, Abattoir Gallery, Cleveland, OH. Curators: Lisa Kurzner, Rose Burlingham
Center for Art Law, Benefit Auction, Capsule Auctions. Curator: Louise Carron
Samuel in Space exhibited in The Art of Rashid Johnson, National Gallery of Canada
Rapid Response Group Exhibition, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)
Returning Mentor, MFA Film Program, American University, School of Communication
Teaching Artist, Visual Art, Painting, Photography, Digital Art, Manhattan Youth, New York, NY
2020
Small Works, Group Exhibition, Abattoir Gallery, Cleveland, OH
Social Photography VIII, Carriage Trade, New York. Curator: Peter Scott
Rapid Response Group Exhibition, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)
Teaching Artist, Visual Art, Painting, Photography, Manhattan Youth, New York, NY
2019
Social Photography VII Book Release, Carriage Trade, New York
District Gallery, Inaugural Group Exhibition, Cleveland, OH
Simultaneous Soloists Publication, Pioneer Press, featuring the work of Anthony McCall
Benefit Auction, Center for Art Law, Paddle8, New York
Guest Contributor, Rancho Thatchmo Radio Show, WFMU, hosted by Thatcher Keats
Music Video, Joan as Police Woman, "Warning Bell," featured in The Atlantic
Guest Lecturer, The Imagemaker, Hawken School, Gates Mills, OH
Teaching Artist, Visual Art, Painting, Photography, Manhattan Youth, New York, NY
2018
Music Video, Joan as Police Woman, featured in The Guardian
Group Exhibitions, Galerie Richard and Carriage Trade (Social Photography VI), New York
Guest Contributor, Rancho Thatchmo Radio Show, WFMU
Teaching Artist, Visual Art, Digital Art, Filmmaking, Manhattan Youth, New York, NY
2017
Director, Official Music Video, Joan as Police Woman, "Warning Bell," The Atlantic
Film for Juice Press featured on Fox News Business
Images featured in The Lo Down, Lower East Side, New York
2016
Writer/Director, Global Brand Film, Hudson’s Bay Company, Adventurers of Hudson’s Bay
Guest Lecturer, Color Photography, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York
2014
Invited Photographer, National September 11 Memorial & Museum Private Preview
Profiled, "My LES," The Lo Down, Lower East Side, New York
Editor, Samuel in Space by Rashid Johnson, exhibited at Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
Commission, Henry Street Settlement Annual Report Cover
2013
Global Collaboration with Ram Dass
Photographs Featured, New York Times, Downtown Brooklyn/Ft. Greene Local
Guest Lecturer, The Ghetto Film School, Harlem, New York
Editor, Samuel in Space exhibited at Hauser and Wirth, Zürich
2012
Editor/Sound Designer, Samuel in Space, Ballroom Marfa
Director, Honor Spring 2012 Collection Film, premiered by W Magazine
Commission, Juice Press Brand Films
Photographs Featured, New York Times, Downtown Brooklyn/Ft. Greene Local
Director of Photography, Mykki Blanco, "Head is a Stone"
Writer/Director/Producer, Honor Spring 2012 Runway Film. W Magazine
Photograph Featured, City of New York Homepage, Orchard Street, Rainy Morning
2010
Photograph of Gowanus Canal featured in New York Times Cover Story
2009
Photographs Featured, New York Times, Downtown Brooklyn/Ft. Greene Local
Photography Featured, Blackbook Magazine, "Goodnight Mr. Lewis" Column
2006–2008
Writer/Director, Swing State, Feature Documentary. Premiered at Cleveland International Film Festival; Distributed by Morningstar Entertainment, Netflix, SnagFilms
2005
Story Advisor, Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis, Directed by Mary Jordan. World Premiere: Tribeca Film Festival; Entertainment Weekly Top 10 Films of 2006
2004
Visual Designer, Amfibian (Tom Marshall/Phish), Knitting Factory and B.B. King's, New York
2001
Founded first-ever Final Cut Pro-based creative production studio
1998
First Place, Logo Competition, Amfibian (Tom Marshall’s band)
1996
First Place, American Visions Film Festival (Undergraduate and Graduate Division), Passage, Directed and Adapted by H Spencer Young
b. Cleveland, Ohio
Lives and works in New York City
Education
BA, Visual Media & Cinema Studies, The American University, Washington, D.C.
Graduate Studies, Directing and Cinematography, FAMU, Prague
Graduate, The Majic Bus Program, University of New Orleans
Selected Exhibitions
Social Photography XI, Carriage Trade, New York, Peter Scott, 2025
Steal My Sunshine, Marlee Katz Snow, 2024
Utopian Megapraxis, Brenda Tuxford Gallery, Eureka, CA, Ian Breidenbach and Adam Farcus, 2024
Art Basel Miami, Untitled Art Fair, Beverly’s, Leah Dixon, 2022
Spirit of Peace II, ROOT Hotels, Istanbul, Pinar Goodstone, 2022
The Patriot, O’Flaherty’s, New York, Jamian Juliano-Villani and Billy Grant, 2022
Rapid Response, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD), Wayne Northcross, 2020
Interlocutor, Two-Person Exhibition, Art Club, New York, Clifford Owens, 2022
Social Photography X, IX, VIII, VII, VI, V, Carriage Trade, New York, Peter Scott, 2017–2025
Small Works, Abattoir Gallery, Cleveland, Lisa Kurzner and Rose Burlingham, 2020, 2021
Downtown Artists Series, New York Public Library, 2015
4-Person Exhibition, Chris Davison Gallery, Hudson Valley, NY, 2016
Galerie Richard, Rema Hort Mann Foundation Benefit, New York, 2018
Now You See, Rox Gallery, New York, 2014
Ascension, Rox Gallery, New York, 2013
Film, Media, and Editorial Projects
Samuel in Space, Editor and Sound Designer, Rashid Johnson; Ballroom Marfa, Detroit Institute of Arts, Guggenheim Museum
Swing State, Director, Cleveland International Film Festival Premiere
Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis, Story Advisor, Tribeca Film Festival
Honor Spring 2012 Fashion Film, Writer/Director, premiered by W Magazine, 2012
Warning Bell, Music Video, Director, Joan as Police Woman, 2017, The Atlantic
Head is a Stone, Director of Photography, Mykki Blanco, Director: Nick Hooker
Publications and Interviews
Essay on Marcel Duchamp, Pasadena Magazine, 2023
Media in the Mix Podcast Interview, American University, 2022
The New York Times, “Divine Excess on Avenue C” and “Was This the Art Party of the Summer?”, 2022
Guest Contributor, WFMU Rancho Thatchmo Radio Show, Thatcher Keats, 2018
Teaching, Lectures, and Mentorship
Mentor, MFA Film Program, American University, 2022–Present
Lecturer, “Color Photography and Image-Making,” Fashion Institute of Technology, 2018
Seminar Instructor, Imagemaking, Hawken School, Gates Mills, OH, 2019
Teaching Artist, Visual Art, Painting, Photography, Filmmaking, Manhattan Youth, New York, 2018–2024
Invitations and Recognition
Invited Contributor, Gowanus Canal photo essay, The New York Times, 2009
Juror, See.Me International Photography Competition, 2014
Selected Works, RamDass.org, 2014
Guest Artist, Harlan Levey Projects, Brussels, Belgium, 2016
Selected Commercial and Commissioned Work
Juice Press – U.S. Open Campaign, Director/Photographer, 2018
Hudson’s Bay Company, Director, Global Brand Film, 2016
Family & Survivor Preview, Photographer, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, NYC, 2014
Henry Street Settlement Annual Report, Cover, 2023
Certifications
Mandated Reporter, Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)
Foundations in Health and Safety, OCFS
Youth Engagement Matters, University of Minnesota Extension
Using Critical Consciousness to Challenge Inequity, Sanford Inspire, National University Systems
Positive Behavior in Schools I, PBS Teachline
Confronting Sexual Harassment, NYC Commission on Human Rights
Teaching Online: Best Practices for the Live Online Classroom
Selected Projects
Visual Designer, Amfibian (Tom Marshall/Phish), Knitting Factory and B.B. King’s, New York, 2004
Founder, First Final Cut Pro–Based Creative Production Studio, 2001