Zachary Horn

Zachary Horn is a Senior Lecturer in the Art Department at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where he has taught since 2012, and also serves as a Lecturer at Boston University since 2015. His interdisciplinary practice spans painting, drawing, animation, and social practice, with a particular focus on labor movement representation and contemporary political commentary. Horn's work has been exhibited internationally in museums, galleries, and academic institutions across the United States, Finland, South Korea, and beyond.

Horn received his MFA in Painting from Boston University in 2011 and his BA in Fine Arts from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004, graduating Magna cum Laude. His educational background informs his teaching approach, which encompasses Drawing, Painting, Animation, Graphic Design, Foundations, Digital Media, and Writing-About-Art.

Horn's research interests center on the intersection of art and social justice, particularly through his 'artivism' focused on labor unions. His work often employs divergent methodologies to explore contemporary working conditions, memorialization practices, and political commentary. He uses painting, drawing, and animation to create works that are both assertively political and intimately heartfelt, frequently incorporating community engagement and social practice elements.

Horn's recent exhibition history demonstrates a consistent focus on labor movement representation, memorialization, and contemporary political commentary. His works range from large-scale installations like 'The Button Project' (2026) addressing Holocaust memorialization to video installations like 'Modern Times' (2024) commenting on contemporary working conditions. His practice shows a sophisticated integration of traditional media with digital techniques, creating multi-layered works that engage with both historical and contemporary social issues.

• The Awesome Foundation: Boston (2023)
• Massachusetts Cultural Council Finalist in Drawing & Printmaking (2020)
• Best in Show: Kent State University (2020)
• Juror's Choice Award: Eastern Kentucky University (2018)
• Blanche E. Colman Trust (2017)
• Visual Arts Scholar and Dean's Scholar at Boston University (2010)

As Faculty Advisor for the Undergraduate Art Club at UMass Boston, Horn mentors emerging artists while maintaining an active exhibition schedule. His work has received significant press coverage, including features in the Boston Globe, Art New England, and international publications. Horn has secured research funding through the Labor Resource Center at UMass Boston and has been recognized with multiple foundation grants supporting his artistic practice. His upcoming 'Button Project' represents a major commission addressing Holocaust memorialization through quantitative representation.

Horn maintains an active studio practice alongside his teaching responsibilities, producing works that integrate traditional media with digital techniques. His recent projects demonstrate a commitment to engaging with social issues through artistic practice, particularly focusing on labor rights and memorialization practices. The artist lives in Boston, Massachusetts with his wife and three sons, and his personal connection to Jewish heritage informs his approach to memorial projects like 'The Button Project.'