Khari Turner

Khari Turner  was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is based in New York. His paintings address issues related to slavery and systemic racism through the convergence of abstraction with parts of the Black body. Salt water, sourced from rivers and oceans around the world, is an important element in Turner’s work and is used to emphasize the symbolic history it embodies as a means of transporting Africans during the middle passage.  As a universally understood substance,  water provides an entry point for a broader audience to engage with Turner’s work. In addition to salt water, he  utilizes fresh water, ink, acrylic and carbon in his work. As each medium breaks down and chemically reacts to the other, lines, veins and splotches are created further obscuring parts of the body. Turner is intentional about omitting eyes. This act is intended to represent the collective experiences of people of color. 

Khari has an MFA from Columbia University.  Selected solo exhibitions include As Below & Above, CFHILL, 2022;Khari Turner “BLUE MOON” as part of ECC Venice Biennale, 2022; Personal Structures: Reflections, Ross-Sutton Gallery; Saving Space 4 More, Destinee Ross-Sutton x FREVO x Khari Turner, Ross-Sutton Gallery, 2021.