18 Dec Armed Doesn’t Mean Dangerous by Christian K. Lee
Image detail of “Shells on a gun range floor, Killeen, TX” from the series Armed Doesn’t Mean Dangerous, ©Christian K. Lee, 2021
ARMED DOESN’T MEAN DANGEROUS
BY CHRISTIAN K. LEE
“The point of this project is to recondition myself, and others, toward the more positive view of Black people and guns: to promote a more balanced archive of images of African Americans with firearms by showing responsible gun owners — those who use these weapons for sport, hobby and protection. I hope these photos bring that important point into focus.”
January 17 – February 22, 2025
COLORADO PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS CENTER
1200 LINCOLN ST, SUITE 111, DENVER, CO 80203
Art exhibit viewing times: Tues. – Fri. (11 am – 5 pm); Sat. (noon – 4 pm)
RECEPTION & SPECIAL PROGRAMMING:
JANUARY 18 & 22
Opening Reception
Saturday, January 18th between 5:00 – 8:00 pm at CPAC. This event is free and open to the public. Artist Christian K. Lee will be in attendance.
Online Artist Talk with Christian K. Lee
Join us on Wednesday, January 22, at 5:00 pm (MST) for an online artist talk with Christian K. Lee. The free event aims to dive deep into Lee’s photographic series Armed Doesn’t Mean Dangerous. At the end of the presentation there will be audience Q&A.
MISSED THE ARTIST TALK OR WANT TO REWATCH? SEE VIDEO LINK BELOW
ARMED DOESN’T MEAN DANGEROUS
Christian K. Lee, through large format photography, drapes his sitters in their environment, illuminating the Black individuals in his images rather than the guns in the frame. Lee, a Chicago native, brings the conversation surrounding guns and Black people to the foreground. His figures often grip their guns gently, hold them to the side, and have them seated amongst Black figures. Lee’s work is intimate; he sits down with his community members and interviews them within and surrounding their homes in Chicago and Texas. Through his images, Lee asks why Black people in Chicago would need a gun and questions representations of Black gun owners through popular media. Lee’s photos remind us that gun owners have lived experiences, families, and communities they intend to protect, even when the state does not. His ongoing project, Armed Doesn’t Mean Dangerous, is a reflection of his and his community’s experiences with guns and home.
– Written by Saida Blair and Jordan Barrant
EXHIBITION PREVIEW
ABOUT ARTIST CHRISTIAN K. LEE
Christian K. Lee (1991) is an Artist living in his hometown of Chicago. His experiences drive his desire to utilize Art as an investigative tool. Christian’s goal is to create imagery that reflects the world in which he currently lives. His work has been exhibited internationally. It has been honored by the Silver Eye Center for Photography, Pictures of the Year International, Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture, Critical Mass Top 50 and the Sony World Photography Awards.