Meet Max Mather | New Media/Multimedia Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Max Mather and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Max, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The driving force behind my success is my authenticity – my artwork is a reflection, and often a self-portrait diary, of my experiences as a trans masculine living during a political era that is increasingly hostile towards the existence of trans people. The closest and most important connections within my network are people who understand how my identity connects to my artwork, and have an appreciation for why it is important to uplift trans voices during this time. In 2023 – after a particularly vicious cycle of legislation was passed across the nation persecuting the rights of transgender people – Sharifa Moore of Denver Digerati commissioned me to create a digital animation defending and celebrating trans existence for Night Lights Denver. This was a particularly special moment within my career – I am so grateful to have a community that understands the importance of these issues and I am honored that they identify my artwork as a point of resistance.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a digital new media and multimedia artist. My practice centers around using software to design human characters, geometric patterns, and interactive experiences. These outputs are woven together through mediums of computer graphic animation, 3D printed sculpture, and live performance. Through my art, I explore how human bodies – specifically gender queer bodies – are distorted by the social and digital systems we interface with. The backbone of my practice involves 3D scanning my body with a phone app called Polycam. I then bring these scans into Blender – a 3D editing software – and abstract them. This 3D scanning and editing process has become a distinct visual style in my work, producing characters that appear in animations, augmented reality experiences, and are 3D printed as sculptures.

My life and career changed dramatically when I was accepted to The University of Denver’s Emergent Digital Practices MFA program in 2021. Through this program, I’ve learned to use software I’d never heard of before applying, gained hands on experience working with 3D printers – including assembly and maintenance, attended workshops with some of the most prominent artists in the field, met curators who have local and national influence, and formed collaborative partnerships with my fellow students – resulting in public exhibitions and live performances.

There’s an ebb and flow to professional art opportunities with very busy times followed by down times. During the down times, I touch base with my core professional network. I feel it’s better to have a deep network than a wide one. For me, this is the Denver Digerati team, and my University of Denver classmates and professors. No one is an island and that’s especially true for artists. Forming connections with a variety of formal organizations and institutions continues open doors for me help me navigate the early years of this challenging career path.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Denver Weekend Trip Itinerary:
Thursday:
Art Tour/Bar Crawl in RiNo
Start your walking tour at Pon Pon – check out the mini art gallery in the back.
Make a custom hat at Gem Hats – the staff is so nice and helpful in the design process.
Stop in at any of the unique spots as you explore the best collection of murals in the city, including Honey Elixir Bar – a great spot for people who do and don’t drink with a beautiful origin story.
End your walking tour at Improper City by lounging on the oversized back patio.

Friday:
Explore the Artistic Golden Triangle Neighborhood
An afternoon visit to the Vance Kirkland Museum – when people say you should visit the smaller private collection museums when you visit a city, this is what they’re talking about.
Dinner at City, O’ City – even if you’re not vegan or vegetarian, everyone can find something to eat at this electric, artsy spot.
See a show at The Black Box – this smaller venue is becoming one of the most notable venues in the city for their underground live music scene.
Finish the night with a drink at Milk Bar – explore the many winding rooms until you find one that fits your vibe.

Saturday:
Enjoy the Day and Night Life of Denver
Begin the day with brunch at Jelly Café – make sure to order a flight of donut holes.
Appreciate the sunshine at Cheeseman Park – good for a picnic, yoga, or an impromptu DJ set.
Have dinner and a drink at Campus Lounge – this historic building has been revitalized in the last few years becoming a favorite among locals in the neighborhood.
Grab a late-night snack from Jerusalem Restaurant – a Denver classic and a DU neighborhood staple.

Sunday:
Window Shop on South Broadway
Recover from the night before by getting caffeinated at Corvus Coffee – stop by their Broadway location and try one of their daily pastries.
Get ice cream from Sweet Action before getting lunch at The Hornet.
End the evening with a drink at Adrift – something about drinking tropical cocktails and then walking outside to freezing temperatures and snow is a necessary Denver experience.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The greatest highlights of my professional career are a product of my relationship with Denver Digerati. I first became connected with this local organization when the founder – Sharifa Moore – and I were both featured in a popup exhibition in 2022. That year Denver Digerati featured an interactive coding piece I made in a group exhibition at the CU Denver Experience Gallery. Since then Sharifa and the rest of the Denver Digerati team have been gracious enough to provide me with incredible opportunities to grow and showcase my art. Sharfia offered me a residency at their studio in early 2023. She also curated three of my animations to be included in the Denver Art Museum’s “Untitled” Series. Meow Wolf Convergence Station recently curated an animation I created – entitled “GEMINI” – to be screened for a 6-month run in their movie theatre at the recommendation of Sharfia and the Denver Digerati team.

Website: https://maxmatherart.com

Instagram: @m.mather.creations