Picking Berries, 2023 by African American artist Bai (Carl Karni-Bain), is a 14 x 11 acrylic and ballpoint pen abstract painting on board. A contemporary painting referencing a deep connection to ancestral history, the work invites the viewer to listen to the rhythmic pulse of a heartbeat and melodies of a diverse African diaspora. The work is signed on recto (front), titled, dated, signed on verso (back) by the artist. Ships framed: 18” x 15.”
Provenance: Studio of Bai
In the artist's words:
"Colour becomes symbols I use to reflect emotional stages that humans experience – reds for the violent past, blues, greens for the peace to come, and yellow and oranges for the bright future ahead. The latter is not guaranteed in my paintings. However, I think it is attainable in life." ~Carl Karni-Bain (BAI), Harlem, New York City
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Artist's Bio:
For three decades BAI (Carl Karni-Bain) 1959- has exhibited regularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, North Carolina, and New York City. As an artist in over two dozen international art fairs since 2003, BAI has garnered an audience worldwide. In 2013 Thelma Golden, Director of The Studio Museum of Harlem selected BAI as one of the top 10 artists working in Harlem, New York City. He was also selected as one of the top 50 artists living in Manhattan.
In 2022 Bai’s work was selected and sold at a Christie’s auction 100 Years of Harlem: Resonating Around The World.
Bai's work is in private and public collections, including the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC, The Harrison Museum of African American Culture, Roanoke, VA, among others.
Carl Karni-Bain's work has been included in numerous international art fairs including Miami, London, New York City, Hong Kong, and San Diego.
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