Brendon Hawkins
Brendon Hawkins is a systems theorist, researcher, artist, and technologist. He is the founder of Studio Lab BH and Founding Advisory Board Chair of the CUNY Public Interest Technology Lab.
His practice examines how human experience, culture, and perception become computational and representational systems. Working across research, software, visual art, and participatory environments, he studies the relationship between internal states, collective behavior, and the technologies used to interpret them.
His background in product and emerging technology grounds this work in implementation, moving ideas between theory, experimentation, and functional systems.
Based in New York. Formative roots in Pittsburgh. Studies ASL. Reads widely.
Current affiliations
- Founder
- Studio Lab BH
- Founding advisory board chair
- CUNY Public Interest Technology Lab
The CUNY Public Interest Technology Lab connects students, educators, and community partners around technology in the public interest. Its work includes critical AI literacy, civic data, open-source tools, and participatory design.
Selected experience
Residencies & fellowships
- 2026Public Interest Technology Research FellowCUNY, New York, NY
- 2020–21FINE ResidencyChildren’s Museum of Pittsburgh
- 2020A.I.R.Field Work Gallery
- 2019Creative and Social Impact FellowKelly Strayhorn Theater
- 2019DistilleryBrew House Association
- 2019Visiting ArtistLegacy Arts Project
- 2018A.I.R.Bunker Projects
Workshops
- 2026Tell Me How You Feel: TranslationNYC PIT Pop Up
- 2026Tell Me How You Feel: ChromaPlated Studios
- 2026Making AI Make Sense Together: Designing a Critical AI Research Commons with NYC Open DataSchool of Data: Data Week
Public talks & conversations
- 2026Queer Tech Stories Across GenerationsOut in Tech Leadership Institute
- 2025Queer Tech Stories Across GenerationsPayPal HQ
- 2025Building Products in the Age of AIHearst
- 2025Showing Up: Brendon Hawkins on Art, Technology, and Community AccountabilitySyncing Up Podcast · Out in Tech
- 2024Speculative: Designing for the day after tomorrowHearst
- 2021Designing TechnologyBloom Institute of Technology
- 20191440 Artist PanelMattress Factory
- 2018Visiting Photography CriticPoint Park University
- 2018The Illusion Of The Queer Black AmericanArtist Image Resource
Product experience
- Hearst Television · Technical Product ManagerEmerging Technology — AI, rapid prototyping, research
- Candid · Product ManagerAPI — Apple Pay API, GraphQL API, Demographics API
Leadership & service
- Out in TechMulti Chapter Leadership: NYC + Pittsburgh
- Hearst UX GuildFounding Member
Solo exhibitions
- 2026Tell Me How You Feel: ACGThe Space, New York, NY
- 2024Three DegreesIndustrious, Pittsburgh, PA
- 2019#ShowUpMattress Factory, Pittsburgh, PA
- 2018UntitledBunker Projects, Pittsburgh, PA
Group exhibitions
- 2025PIT Lab × Beta NYC Pop-UpThe Oculus, New York, NY
- 2020Seeking TruthBrew House, Pittsburgh, PA
- 2020ChannelPittsburgh Children’s Museum, Pittsburgh, PA
- 2019The Self, Realized: Queering the Art of Self-PortraitureBrewhouse, Pittsburgh, PA
- 2018The House We BuildImagebox Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
- 2017Welcome HomeFuture Tenant, Pittsburgh, PA
Commissions
- 2018Guest of HonorCarnegie Museum of Art
- 2018#ShowUpMFMattress Factory
Education
- 2023B.S. Information Assurance and SecurityAmerican Intercontinental University
- 2021Certificate, Web Development and Computer ScienceBloom Institute of Technology