Artist Bio
Jas Jermaine Turk (they/she) [b. Baltimore] is a Black, Queer, self-taught Mixed-Media Collage Artist and Cultural Sustainability Practitioner. Jas’ creative practice explores themes of Black culture, preservation, & continuity shaped by history and Jas’ lived experiences as a Black American. Through their artistic practice, Jas creates sacred spaces of visual memory where ancestral strength is not lost to time, but is continually reshaped and honored. Jas has showcased in group exhibitions across states and has been featured in both national and international media such as Room Magazine, Suboart Magazine, Visual Art Journal, Queer Kentucky, and more. They hold a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Northern Kentucky University, as well as a Master’s of Arts in Cultural Sustainability (MA) from Goucher College.
Artist Statement
Through the medium of mixed-media collage, Jas Jermaine Turk’s practice engages Black ancestral memory, storytelling, and cultural sustainability, weaving together fragmented histories to create new narratives. Utilizing sourced archival photographs, paper, and other repurposed materials, Jas breathes new life into remnants of the past, assembling compositions that honor the expansiveness and ingenuity of Black existence. For Jas, collage transcends art—it is also a deliberate act of memory-keeping. Layering imagery and other ephemera, Jas’ work constructs visual narratives that bridge past and present, forming a tactile lineage that affirms ancestral bonds. Each composition functions as an offering, honoring those who came before while envisioning collective Black futures.
