I was born in Maryland in 1993 and raised in California. I'm an American author. My work has focused on stories around disability. I suffered a spinal cord injury at the L-1 level and was diagnosed with incomplete paraplegia on June 21, 2016.
In 2019, I received an M.A. in Experimental Humanities and Social Engagement from NYU, where I focused on human rights, writing and photography. In 2015, I received a B.A in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach.
I'm a 2024 Light Work Artist in Residence, Magnum Foundation Fellow in the Photography and Social Justice program. I was a VII Photo Mentor Program Photographer from 2019-2021. I've spoken about my work on NY1, The Philadelphia Museum of Art and the University of Texas. I was awarded first prize in the Getty Images Creative Bursary in 2019.
I've published photographs and written stories with The New Yorker, The Nation, The New York Times Lens Blog and The New York Times Exposures, and with various other international outlets and clients.
I'm based between New Hope, Pennsylvania & Long Beach, California.
CV
Teaching
- Los Angeles City College, Adjunct Faculty, Visual and Media Arts
Education
- New York University, 2019, M.A. Experimental Humanities and Social
Thought
- California State University Long Beach, 2015, B.A. Creative Writing
Awards, Publications, Exhibitions and Events
2024
(Upcoming)
- 2024 Light Work, Artist in Residence Program, Selected Artist
2023
-The New Yorker Photo Booth, "The Debt-Ceiling Fight's Collateral Damage", 05.19.2023
-The Griffin Museum of Photography, "Kenosis", Online Solo Exhibition and Artist Talk
- The Society of Professional Designers, Medal Finalist
- Museum of the City of New York, "New York Now: Home, A Photography Triennial," Group Show
- Fuck Sympathy, "Issue # 2: Leftover Tissues & Anxiety in California", Zine, Self-Published
2022
- Economic Hardship Reporting Project, Grant Recipient
- New York Foundation of the Arts, Rauschenberg Medical Emergency, Grant Recipient
- The Nation, "On Our Last Legs," Words and Photos
- Fuck Sympathy, "Issue #1", Zine, Self-Published
- Faces of Harlem, Exhibition, Harlem, NYC : "Letters to Harlem"
- Miami Art Week x Faces of Harlem, Public Installation
- Photoville 2022, Brooklyn, NYC, Exhibitor, "Puddles in my Head : (Our Emotions)
- VII Photo, "Beyond The Frame Workshop with Maggie Steber ad Sara Terry," Scholarship Recipient
- San Francisco Common Wealth Club: The Art of Disability Culture
Lecture
-Bicycle Film Festival, NYC, Official Cinematic Short Selection, "Rumbling"
2021
- "Kenosis, Volume 2 (2021)", Handmade Artist Book, Self-Published
- Bronx Documentary Center, Women's Film Series: Crip Camp,
Moderator
- George Washington University, Visiting Artist, Lecture
- University Austin Texas, Visiting Artist, Lecture
- Sleeper Studios, A New Nothing No. 2, Group Photobook , Single Image
"Restless"
- Worthless Studios, FREE FILM : USA, Group Photobook, Single Image
"Baltimore"
- VII Photo Agency, “Nolan Ryan Trowe in Conversation with Ashley
Gilbertson”, Presentation
- Verizon Communications, “Covid 19 and Social Isolation”, Panelist
- The Lucie Foundation, The Portrait Award, Finalist
2020
- "Kenosis, Volume 1 (2020)", Handmade Artist Book, Self-Published
- The Magnum Foundation, Photography and Social Justice Program Fellowship
- Verizon Media, Keynote Presenter “Behind the Lens: Documenting
Disability During Crisis.”
- New Mobility Magazine, “The Work of Nolan Ryan Trowe.”
- The Creative Review Magazine, “Making Sense of Life with Nolan Ryan
Trowe.”
2019
- Getty Images Creative Bursary, Disability Stories, First Prize
- Philadelphia Museum of Art, Keynote Presenter, “The Irma and
Herbert Barness Endowed Lecture: City Beautiful.”
- “SOME PEOPLE” (Every)Body”, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago : Group
Show
- Founded @Everydaydisabled (an officially recognized by “Everyday
Everywhere”affiliated page)
- VII Photo Agency, Mentor Program Photographer
- The New York Times Lens Blog, “Disability Didn’t End Their Athletic
Dreams. It Started Them.”
2018
- The New York Times Op-Ed Exposures, “Revelations in a Wheelchair.”
- The New York Times Lens Blog, “It Was Like My Disability Became a
Gift.”
- “This-Ability”, El Barrio’s Art Space P.S. 109 Harlem, New York : Group
Show