Khari Turner’s work, influenced by his Milwaukee roots and a passion for community engagement, explores water, sculpture, and public art with a commitment to both personal growth and giving back.
Khari Turner, born in April 1991 in Milwaukee, WI, grew up with a strong connection to the city’s waterfront, which often influences his work, especially his exploration of water. His early interest in art was inspired by his school peers and his grandfather, a draftsman and carpenter who instilled a love of making. After a challenging period between 2009 and 2015, where he worked various minimum-wage jobs and struggled to find fulfillment, Turner found purpose through his involvement with Lake Valley Camp, where he worked from camper to Art Director, fostering a passion for giving back to the community. This led to his long-term goal of creating an organization dedicated to supporting young artists and promoting community health through public art and murals in low-income neighborhoods.
In 2015, Turner moved to Tennessee to enroll at Austin Peay State University, where he earned his BFA in studio art. It was here that his artistic voice began to take shape, but it was during his summer 2019 residency at Chautauqua that his work fully evolved, allowing him the freedom to explore new possibilities beyond the confines of academia. Currently, Turner is working diligently at Columbia University to refine his artistic practice, constantly striving to stay true to his values of giving back and focusing on the work. Now fully immersed in his artistic journey, Turner is committed to creating and never looking back.
