H Spencer Young (b. Cleveland, Ohio) is a New York–based interdisciplinary artist and writer/director working across photography, filmmaking, digital art, painting, sculpture, sound, and drawing. His research-driven practice engages a broad spectrum of formal and conceptual questions, with a particular focus on how images, light, and signal shape perception, memory, and emotion. Drawing from cosmology, technology, and the evolving history of image-making, Young’s work interrogates the boundaries of representation and perception in contemporary life, engaging with the shifting role of visual language and the ways it shapes our collective experience.
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, (Untitled Art and Satellite Art), and institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD). His work has also been featured in exhibitions at Abattoir Gallery in Cleveland, curated by Lisa Kurzner and Rose Burlingham. In 2025, he exhibited in Social Photography XI at Carriage Trade, curated by Peter Scott. In 2024, his work Solastalgia was included 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 could be seen 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 selected for 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 and sound designed Rashid Johnson’s film Samuel in Space, which is currently exhibiting as part of Johnson’s retrospective, A Poem For Deep Thinkers, at the Guggenheim Museum, New York. Samuel in Space, originally commissioned by Ballroom Marfa, is also part of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ permanent collection and has been exhibited internationally at 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, premiering in adjacent sold out theaters simultaneously. Spencer also served as a story consultant and additional editor on Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis (dir. Mary Jordan, prod. Richard Prince, Kenneth Peralta), 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, Jack Henry, Michelle Grabner, Dan Graham, Sean Lennon, Sonia Louise Davis, Gwenn Thomas, Azikiwe Mohammed, Spencer Sweeney, Louise Lawler, R.H. Quaytman, Ricky Powell, Carmen Winant, Hildur Jonsson, Bert Stern, Dan Loxton, Liz Deschenes, Lumin Wakoa, 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 and 12 students lived on the first ever natural gas powered bus, traveling to 46 states, studying firsthand with cultural icons including Kurt Vonnegut, Hunter S. Thompson, Toni Morrison, Arthur Miller, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Bo Diddley, Tom McGuane, Townes Van Zandt, William Kennedy, Melba Patillo Beals, John Kenneth Galbraith, TC Boyle, Allen Ginsberg, Rita Dove, William vanden Heuvel and others — often spending time with them at their homes. Standout memories include walking Little Rock Central High with Melba Beals; exploring Lowell, MA one-on-one with Ginsberg at the Kerouac Poetry Festival; restoring Bill Clinton’s boyhood home in Hope, Arkansas; making lunch with Kurt Vonnegut at his house while discussing Breakfast of Champions; debating 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:
Email: reach [at] hspenceryoung.com
Selected press highlights, features, listings, publications, and interviews.
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
Selected Exhibitions, Projects, Publications, and Teaching
2025
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
Social Photography XI, Carriage Trade, Group Exhibition, New York, NY. Curator: Peter Scott
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
Hudson’s Bay Company, “Adventurers of Hudson’s Bay”
Writer / Director: H Spencer Young
Featuring Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Gilt
Writer / Director: H Spencer Young
Featuring Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Gilt
Honor, “SS/12 Campaign/Runway Film”
Writer / Director: H Spencer Young
Featuring Anne-Sophie Monrad, Josephine Skriver, Xiao Wen
Premiered by W Magazine
Writer / Director: H Spencer Young
Featuring Anne-Sophie Monrad, Josephine Skriver, Xiao Wen
Premiered by W Magazine
“Samuel in Space” by Rashid Johnson
Creative Editor / Sound Designer: H Spencer Young
Ballroom Marfa commission
Exhibited at Hauser & Wirth, Ballroom Marfa, Guggenheim Museum
Acquired by The Detroit Institute of Arts
Creative Editor / Sound Designer: H Spencer Young
Ballroom Marfa commission
Exhibited at Hauser & Wirth, Ballroom Marfa, Guggenheim Museum
Acquired by The Detroit Institute of Arts
Mykki Blanco, “Head is a Stone”
Director of Photography: H Spencer Young
Premiered by Fact Mag
Director of Photography: H Spencer Young
Premiered by Fact Mag
“Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis”
Story Advisor: H Spencer Young
World Premiere: Tribeca Film Festival
Entertainment Weekly, 10 Best Films of 2006
Story Advisor: H Spencer Young
World Premiere: Tribeca Film Festival
Entertainment Weekly, 10 Best Films of 2006
Joan as Police Woman, “Warning Bell” (Official Music Video)
Writer / Director: H Spencer Young
Featured in The Atlantic
Writer / Director: H Spencer Young
Featured in The Atlantic
“Swing State”
Feature Documentary
Writer / Director: H Spencer Young
With Jason Zone Fisher and John Intrater
World Premiere: Cleveland International Film Festival (Single-day attendance record)
Feature Documentary
Writer / Director: H Spencer Young
With Jason Zone Fisher and John Intrater
World Premiere: Cleveland International Film Festival (Single-day attendance record)
Nike, “Fieldrush”
Writer / Director: H Spencer Young
Writer / Director: H Spencer Young
CBS Cares, “Save Your Bacon” National PSA
Director / Editor: H Spencer Young
Director / Editor: H Spencer Young