khary mason at irwin house detroit
Friendly Fire
“Friendly Fire” is a term used when a person or group accidentally harms their own side in a military or police operation.
In this photographic series, the viewer witnesses the path of the artist, Khary Mason, immersed in a world of service, beginning with the naive, unfiltered perspective of a child. FRIENDLY FIRE imaginatively explores 30 years in Detroit law enforcement by multidisciplinary artist & former Homicide Detective, Khary Mason.”
HTF Redact is from Mason’s personal documentation as a member of the Detroit Police Department. Officers line up in Kevlar and assault rifles purposefully postured to intimidate. Their concealed identities render them more brutish. The black and white palette emphasizes the officers’ stance while the Train Station’s towering graffiti sets the stage.
Gatekeepers were understood by Mason to be ‘used as a tool to keep Black bodies out of White spaces, unless those bodies were consuming or producing.’ The phrase he often heard as a child that described it best was ‘Don’t go across 8 Mile.’ Detroit Police Narcotics stand guard beside Sons of Anarchy Detroit in the rain. Overexposed blown-out white lights obscure unrecoverable details adding to the menacing vibe. Identities are as mysterious as the scene itself.
The story continues into the stationhouse where a suspect is questioned. Mason inserts himself on both sides of the table as he does in real life as a civilian and a homicide detective. Scale and perspective create the viewer a watcher along with a shadowy figure lurking behind a privacy window observing unseen.
Mason’s imagery pulls no punches. His narrative is dramatic, direct and potent. The portrait’s cavernous black background weights the subject gagged by the Stars and Stripes irrespective of the man’s character. Steady eyes stare down the viewer unflinching.
This exhibition couldn’t be more timely as Americans witness ICE callously detain, deport and murder our neighbors in real time. Mason’s images strike hard at law enforcement, questioning methodology in the pursuit of public safety. This is the beginning of a conversation long overdue.
Mason concludes by stating this exhibition is a “love letter to the superheroes of the future who don the badge and uniform and answers the questions I didn’t even know I had when I put the badge on.”
On view through March 15th at Irwin House Detroit 2351 W Grand Blvd Detroit
direct quote from gallery materials
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Thank you for describing this exhibit. I would never have known. Perfect timing.
Lesley
Wow, so powerful. Thank you for profiling this one