Saddi Khali is a nationally respected New Orleans-born poet, performance artist, and photographer whose images of the Afro American female drip with mood.
'Criss Cross' Nikon D80, 1/6 Sec, 18mm, ISO 400, F3.5
'Praying Mantiss' Nikon D90, 30mm, ISO 640, 1/125 Sec, F2.5, 1.4 Meter Focus Point
Saddi has worked for the last 20 years to blend the most effective mix of art and activism.
As a critically acclaimed poet, his writings have been published in numerous national journals and anthologies, including Dark Eros, Beyond the Frontier, and Be a Father to Your Child.
As a performer, Saddi has been featured on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam and he has headlined at the Apollo Theater’s Salon Series (with Toni Blackman) and has for two years toured nationally with the traveling theater experience, UPROOTED: The Katrina Project.
Most recently, Khali’s has emerged onto the field of photography.
'Emerge' Nikon D90, 50mm, 1/320 Sec, F 2.5, ISO 320, Focus Distance 450mm
'Cross Light' Nikon D90, 90mm, F 5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO 1250
The images here are taken using crop sensor Nikons.
Lenses used here range from wide angle to normal and telephoto, all shot at fairly open apertures and at elevated ISO’s.
These elevated ISO’s lend a feel of grit and grain to the moods.
Saddi’s images have been featured in ESSENCE Magazine and on the cover of the Random House book, Triksta and in the instruction book, The Naked and The Lens.
In 2009, Khali also served as the official photographer for the Featherperm Records’ European Tour.
Saddi has exhibited his images across the U.S., debuting with Remember Peace/Remember Pleasure along with famed folk vocalist Nakia Henry, at the Casa Frela gallery in New York City and followed by ReCalling Peace at the Red Creative Gallery in Atlanta.
'Remember' Nakia Henry Featuring Saddi Khali, Cover Art
To hear for yourself, Remember is available as an MP3 download or sample from Amazon by clicking here.
He is currently completing his debut coffee-table book, The Look of Love, through Runagate Press.
A modern day renaissance man, Khali has founded the non-profit organization Medicine Media, which develops and promotes culturally competent images of people of color through strategic use of art and media.
To see more of Khali’s images, click here.
Images © Saddi Khali
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