Blvck

“I’ve been trying to convince my shadow that I’m someone worth following. — Rudy Francisco, My Honest Poem

Khari Turner paints to create a deeper connection to her identity and history as a Black American. Metaphorically, she views Black people as personifications of the magic that is the ocean. Her paintings and drawings combine abstraction with realistic renderings of Black noses and lips to rejuvenate the relationship of her history to her ancestor’s history with water. Khari uses water from oceans, lakes, and rivers from places that have either a historical or personal connection to black history -- water that I collect to mix with and pour onto my paintings. Her focus is to create a direct relationship to emotions and understanding of the past, a journey of a spiritual connection. Khari focuses on Black history to celebrate her ancestors for surviving the challenges they faced, not to display their pain. She paints to bring the stories and histories with images holding an elegance and chaos that comes with this existence.

Blvck Svm is a Chicago based rapper from South Florida. Initially freestyling with friends in high school as a hobby, Svm's first live performance in college ignited his dream to pursue rap as a career. With an affinity for lyricism, he is constantly guided by the motivation to say things in ways they have never been, especially with inspirations like Lil Wayne and MF DOOM. He describes his current sound style as “hyper-lyrical vignettes.”