1991-Present
Works in the Collection
Biography
Khari’s artistic journey began at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee, where he earned his BFA in studio art. During these formative years, he honed his artistic voice, exploring themes of identity, memory, and collective consciousness in his work. Turner, born in Milwaukee in 1991, draws inspiration from his hometown, particularly its intimate connection with water. Growing up alongside the shores of Lake Michigan, he often found solace in moments of reflection by the water’s edge. Turner incorporates water collected from sites of personal and historical significance into his pigments, infusing his paintings with layers of meaning and resonance. From the haunting echoes of the transatlantic slave trade to personal recollections of childhood encounters with Lake Michigan, water serves as a potent conduit for exploring the African American experience. By deliberately obscuring certain areas of his subjects, he underscores the interconnectedness of individual and collective experiences, challenging viewers to confront the complexities of identity and perception.
His debut solo exhibition in New York, “Breathing Water to Air,” held at Ross-Sutton Gallery in the summer of 2021, garnered critical acclaim, signaling his emergence as a notable artistic force. His work was also featured in the Venice Biennale in 2022