Tahir Carl Karmali

Tahir Carl Karmali, born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1987 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York, is an artist who skillfully navigates multiple mediums and materials, including photography, to address the enduring impacts of colonialism. Through his artistic practice, Karmali seeks to dissect and reconfigure materials that have historically perpetuated colonial legacies, using his experiences as a Kenyan citizen to weave narratives around identity and socio-economic themes.

Karmali's academic journey in the arts led him to the School of Visual Arts in New York, where he obtained his Masters in Digital Photography. His work has been showcased in significant exhibitions across the globe, including "Jua Kali" as part of "Making Africa" at prestigious venues like the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Kunsthal Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain. Additionally, his "PAPER:Work" exhibition was featured at the Art Africa Fair in Cape Town and at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, both in 2017.

Karmali's commitment to exploring diverse materials is evident in his selection of exhibitions, from "Making Africa: A Continent of Contemporary Design" at the Blanton Museum in Austin to "Tracing Obsolescence" at Apex Art in New York. His work has been part of art fairs like the CODE Art Fair in Copenhagen and significant group shows such as "Factors of Production" at Rachel Uffner in New York.

His academic background includes a Masters in Digital Photography from the School of Visual Arts in New York and a BBA in Marketing and Communications from Les Roches in Switzerland. Karmali's art has been acknowledged through various awards, residencies, and grants, including the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 in Arts & Style, the Pioneer Works Visual Artist Residency, and the MacDowell Visual Artist Residency, among others. His work, "Jua Kali," has received notable recognition, including an Honorable Mention at the International Photography Awards and selection for the International Contemporary African Photography awards: POPCAP’ 2015.

Karmali's contributions extend beyond his artwork; he has engaged in numerous speaking engagements, sharing his insights on contemporary African art and design at esteemed institutions such as McGill University, Brooklyn College, Yale School of Management, and the Salone Del Mobile at the Vitra Design Museum, contributing to the global dialogue on the future of design and the role of African art within it.

‍