Christian Howard (all pronouns) is an interdisciplinary artist living and working on occupied and unceded Hinonoeino (Arapaho), Tsitsista (Cheyenne), and Nunt'zi (Ute) land (Denver, Colorado). I focus on designing spaces—both physical and digital—that utilize play as a tool for engaging with complex, often uncomfortable emotions.
This work has taken the form of video games, live action games, large-scale immersive experiences, theatrical performances, and interactive storytelling. These environments serve as platforms for exploring themes such as personal and collective purpose, the legacy of colonialism and white supremacy, compassionate leadership, grief and mourning, and the collaborative development of equitable technology. By leveraging play, participants can engage with these challenging subjects in ways that are both profound and accessible, often tapping into unconscious understanding.
In making these spaces, I pull from the roles I occupy in other parts of my life: Tibetan Buddhist, dharma teacher, death doula, cultural strategist, writer, game designer, and educator.