Gee Horton
Gee Horton is an American contemporary artist based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is recognized for his graphite and charcoal portraiture, as well as mixed-media works that address themes of identity, memory, and emotional experience. Horton's practice often integrates photorealistic drawing with archival materials and installation, focusing on aspects of Black adolescence and masculinity.
Early life and education
Horton was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He earned a Bachelor of Psychology from Thomas More University in 2006 and a Master of Social Work from the University of Louisville in 2008. His academic training in psychology and trauma theory has influenced his approach to art. Horton transitioned from a corporate career to full-time art practice in 2020.Work
In 2020, Horton began the "Coming of Age" portrait series and received ArtsWave's Truth and Reconciliation Grant. He also launched The Baobab Project, a space for Black men to explore vulnerability and personal narratives through visual storytelling. During this period, Horton served as an artist-in-residence at the Mercantile Library of Cincinnati, where he produced a portrait of abolitionist Peter H. Clark, recognized with an Emmy Award.Horton's work has been featured in television productions such as HBO's Insecure and Amazon Prime's Harlem. His debut solo exhibition, "Chapter One: Coming of Age" at the Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Art Gallery, examined African American adolescence through contemporary cultural references. The Cincinnati Art Museum acquired his work for the "Coming of Age: New Acquisition Exhibit" in 2022
His subsequent exhibitions include "Chapter Two: A Subtle Farewell to the Inner Child" as part of the FotoFocus Biennial at Kennedy Heights Arts Center. and "Chapter Three: Be Home Before the Streetlights" at KMAC Contemporary Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. These exhibitions further explored themes of identity, memory, and healing
Horton participated in the 2023 FotoFocus + Creative Time Symposium, where he engaged in discussions on land, identity, and the role of art in social transformation. He also contributed to the Blink Festival in Cincinnati with the "Coming of Age" mural series, which spans three blocks of Vine Street, addressing youth vulnerability and celebrating community
Gee Horton is the founder of Gee Horton Studio Gallery in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine district, which functions as an art studio, print shop, and gallery space providing services to local artists and collectors.