February 1 – 28, 2018
In observation of Black History Month, Religion in the Arts and Contemporary Culture is pleased to partner with the Kelly Miller Smith Institute on Black Church Studies to present an exhibition of paintings and mixed-media works from Nashville artist Omari Booker.
Mental and spiritual liberation in the face of physical limitations are themes woven into all of my work.
Social justice, family, and the cerebration of culture through music are threads that come together to make the body of work that you see today.
I am a Nashville native. I attended Montgomery Bell Academy and went on to play basketball at Belmont University. After a break from school I graduated from Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Graphic Design. My passion was studio art and that became my focus. Influenced by my mentor, instructor, and friend Samuel Dunson, as well as James Threalkill, Michael McBride, and a tremendous Nashville Art community I have continued to create work daily.
The pieces displayed explore my experiences and were created between 2014 and 2017. – Omari Booker