Gee Horton (b. 1983, Louisville, KY) is a self-taught artist based in Cincinnati, Ohio, whose photorealistic drawings form the heart of his captivating studio work. Drawing from his lived experiences and a reservoir of personal insights, Gee explores the complexities of the human form in his art. In 2020, he made the bold decision to resign from a corporate job to pursue art full-time, his creative journey embodies a profound commitment to artistic expression and exploration.

Gee made his solo debut into the contemporary art world with his 2021 award-winning gallery exhibit “Coming of Age Chapter I – In Search of Self…Identity.” Taking place at the prestigious Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Art Gallery in downtown Cincinnati, the hyper-realistic charcoal and graphite portraits invited visitors to explore the beauty and complexities of modern adolescence. The solo exhibit demonstrated Gee’s immersive, multidimensional artwork that shone a light on themes of personal identity, objectification of the Black body, the cultural impact of contemporary media, his search for ancestral connection, and the preservation of innocence. Through the lens of social work, Gee’s multidisciplinary art is a navigation of societal influences and psychosocial development as seen through his photography, large-scale installations, and a short film that fascinates the eye while provoking contemplation. 

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Gee’s work is included in numerous private and public collections including The Mercantile Library and The Cincinnati Art Museum. The Emmy-award-winning artist is nationally recognized for his featured artwork on the HBO TV series “Insecure” and Amazon Prime’s “Harlem'' as well as, the Cincinnati Music Hall, and The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. In 2021, he completed his artist-in-residency at The Mercantile Library of Cincinnati completing a six-foot portrait of Black abolitionist and writer Peter H. Clark. As a grant recipient for ArtsWave’s Truth and Reconciliation project, he developed “The Baobab Project,” a continual collaboration designed to hold space for Black men to explore their vulnerability as they remember their coming of age. Gee was recognized as one of seven Black leaders and change-makers in Cincinnati and was the 2022 May cover story for the Cincinnati Enquirer where his unexpected journey into the fine art world is documented in detail.

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In a testament to the profound evolution of his art, Gee embarked on a transformative journey to Senegal in the summer of 2022. There, he participated in an artist-in-residency with the global organization, Diasporicsoul. This momentous endeavor not only signifies his unwavering commitment to artistic growth but also represents a profound quest for healing and the power to foster collective introspection. Through his art, Gee aspires to create an aperture that allows both the artist and the observer to truly see and be seen, transcending boundaries and igniting a shared human experience.