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Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

American, b. 1959
For three decades BAI (Carl Karni-Bain) 1959- has exhibited regularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, North Carolina, and New York City. As an artist in over two dozen international art fairs since 2003, BAI has garnered an audience worldwide. In 2013 Thelma Golden, Director of The Studio Museum of Harlem selected BAI as one of the top 10 artists working in Harlem, New York City. He was also selected as one of the top 50 artists living in Manhattan. In 2022 Bai’s work was selected and sold at a Christie’s auction 100 Years of Harlem: Resonating Around The World. Bai's work is in private and public collections, including the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC, The Harrison Museum of African American Culture, Roanoke, VA, among others. Carl Karni-Bain's work has been included in numerous international art fairs including Miami, London, New York City, Hong Kong, and San Diego.
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Live Composition II, Abstract Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Paper, 2024 by Bai
Live Composition II, Abstract Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Paper, 2024 by Bai

Live Composition II, Abstract Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Paper, 2024 by Bai

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

In contrasting colors that pop Live Composition II, 2024 by African American artist Bai is a 30” x 22” abstract acrylic, oil pastel, and ballpoint pen work on paper. A focus on an ...

Category

2010s Abstract Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Rag Paper, Ballpoint Pen

Ornetta, Portrait, Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Etching Paper, 15x11 by Bai
Ornetta, Portrait, Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Etching Paper, 15x11 by Bai

Ornetta, Portrait, Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Etching Paper, 15x11 by Bai

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

The earthy tones, rich in texture in an acrylic and oil pastel by African American artist Bai is a portrait of an androgenous subject with Modigliani eyes, Ornetta, is an enigmatic p...

Category

2010s Contemporary Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Rag Paper, Ballpoint Pen

Indian Chief, Abstract Figurative Painting, Acrylic Oil Pastel, 2024 by Bai
Indian Chief, Abstract Figurative Painting, Acrylic Oil Pastel, 2024 by Bai

Indian Chief, Abstract Figurative Painting, Acrylic Oil Pastel, 2024 by Bai

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

The original painting on paper, Indian Chief, 2024 by contemporary African American artist Bai (Carl Karni-Bain), is in the artist's series on indigenous Indian chiefs. 30 x 22in, a...

Category

2010s Contemporary Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Rag Paper, Ballpoint Pen

The Three Wisemen, Mixed-Media Fabric Art, Contemporary 2022 by Bai
The Three Wisemen, Mixed-Media Fabric Art, Contemporary 2022 by Bai

The Three Wisemen, Mixed-Media Fabric Art, Contemporary 2022 by Bai

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

The Three Wisemen, 2022 by Carl Karni-Bain (Bai) is a contemporary mixed-media fabric work. The piece 3 wisemen, portraits on watercolor paper, are painted with oil sticks, charcoal, acrylic paint, and layers of fabric. The piece is installed in a clear plexi shadow box. The 46" x 42" work is mounted on archival board and installed in a clear acrylic box frame: 48" x 44” depth: 2” A one-of-a-kind work. Provenance: artist's studio In the artist's words: "I have been painting faces and figures throughout my career as they are part of an ongoing journey of which neither I nor the viewer will ever tire. The foundation for my portraits comes from the African Mask. As a child, I remember the visual impact it had on me and remains strong in my retained memory to this day. The mask forces a response from the viewer, whether a primitive or contemporary response." ~Carl Karni-Bain (BAI) ***** Artist's Bio: For three decades BAI (Carl Karni-Bain) 1959- has exhibited regularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, North Carolina, and New York City. As an artist in over two dozen international art fairs since 2003, BAI has garnered an audience worldwide. In 2013 Thelma Golden, Director of The Studio Museum...

Category

2010s Contemporary Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Paper, Acrylic, Fabric, Digital, Charcoal, Pastel

Live Composition I, Abstract Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Paper, 2024 by Bai
Live Composition I, Abstract Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Paper, 2024 by Bai

Live Composition I, Abstract Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Paper, 2024 by Bai

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

Bright with pastel colors Live Composition I, 2024 by African American artist Bai is a 30” x 22” abstract acrylic and oil pastel original work on paper. Rendered in a primitive art...

Category

2010s Abstract Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Rag Paper, Ballpoint Pen

Two Men and a Horse, Acrylic and Oil Pastel Painting on Paper, Signed by Bai
Two Men and a Horse, Acrylic and Oil Pastel Painting on Paper, Signed by Bai

Two Men and a Horse, Acrylic and Oil Pastel Painting on Paper, Signed by Bai

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

Two Men and a Horse, 2024 by contemporary African American artist Bai (Carl Karni-Bain), is a 30 x 22in acrylic, oil pastel, and ballpoint pen abstract figurative painting on etching...

Category

2010s Contemporary Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Rag Paper, Ballpoint Pen, Mixed Media

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Previously Available Items
Black Indian Chief by African-American Artist, Contemporary Painting on Paper
Black Indian Chief by African-American Artist, Contemporary Painting on Paper

Black Indian Chief by African-American Artist, Contemporary Painting on Paper

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

A work by contemporary African-American artist Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) is a portrait of a black indigenous Indian chief. Acrylic, oil pastel, and ballpoint pen, The Black Indian Chief,...

Category

2010s Contemporary Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Rag Paper, Ballpoint Pen

Eunice, Figurative Painting on Paper by African American Artist Bai
Eunice, Figurative Painting on Paper by African American Artist Bai

Eunice, Figurative Painting on Paper by African American Artist Bai

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Located in New york, NY

A portrait of an elegant woman with a leopard stole, Eunice, 2025 by African American artist Bai is a 15” x 11” colorful drawing/painting on watercolor paper. The artist uses both ac...

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2010s Contemporary Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

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Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Rag Paper

Marcita by African American Artist Bai, Colorful Painting on Paper
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Located in New york, NY

A colorful acrylic and oil pastel Picassoesque portrait of a woman with a daisy tiara, Marcita, 2025 by African American artist Bai is 15” x 11” drawing/painting on watercolor paper...

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2010s Contemporary Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

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Marquita by African American Artist Bai, Work on Paper Portrait
Marquita by African American Artist Bai, Work on Paper Portrait

Marquita by African American Artist Bai, Work on Paper Portrait

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Located in New york, NY

Marquita by African American artist Bai is a 15” x 11” portrait on etching paper rendered in red and contrasting colors with acrylic and oil pastels The subject, female, with her fac...

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2010s Contemporary Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Rag Paper, Ballpoint Pen

Woman with a Bull by African Ameriican Artist Bai, Contemporary Art on Paper
Woman with a Bull by African Ameriican Artist Bai, Contemporary Art on Paper

Woman with a Bull by African Ameriican Artist Bai, Contemporary Art on Paper

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

Woman with a Bull, 2023 by contemporary African American artist Bai (Carl Karni-Bain), is a 30 x 22in acrylic, oil pastel, and ballpoint pen figurative painting on etching paper. Th...

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2010s Contemporary Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Acrylic, Ballpoint Pen, Oil Pastel, Rag Paper

Chief Long Face by African American Artist Bai, Framed
Chief Long Face by African American Artist Bai, Framed

Chief Long Face by African American Artist Bai, Framed

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

Chief Long Face is a painting in the artist's most recent works on Powhatan Chiefs, Native American leaders of the Powhatan tribe in 17th century Virginia. Chief Long Face, 2023 by...

Category

2010s Contemporary Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Acrylic, Board, Ballpoint Pen

The Gathering of Spirits with Two Hummingbirds by African American Artist
The Gathering of Spirits with Two Hummingbirds by African American Artist

The Gathering of Spirits with Two Hummingbirds by African American Artist

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

The Gathering of Spirits with Two Hummingbirds, 2023 by Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) is a 14 x 11 is a contemporary acrylic and ballpoint pen painting on board. It is signed on recto (front) by the artist. Ships matted/framed: 17” x 14.” In the artist's words: "Colour becomes symbols I use to reflect emotional stages that humans experience – reds for the violent past, blues, greens for the peace to come, and yellow and oranges for the bright future ahead. The latter is not guaranteed in my paintings. However, I think it is attainable in life." ~Carl Karni-Bain (BAI), Harlem, New York City ***** Artist's Bio: For three decades BAI (Carl Karni-Bain) 1959- has exhibited regularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, North Carolina, and New York City. As an artist in over two dozen international art fairs since 2003, BAI has garnered an audience worldwide. In 2013 Thelma Golden, Director of The Studio Museum of Harlem selected BAI as one of the top 10 artists working in Harlem, New York City. He was also selected as one of the top 50...

Category

2010s Abstract Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Acrylic, Ballpoint Pen, Board

Tomorrow Will Always Come, Abstract Painting by African American Artist
Tomorrow Will Always Come, Abstract Painting by African American Artist

Tomorrow Will Always Come, Abstract Painting by African American Artist

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

Tomorrow Will Always Come, 2021 by Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) is a dynamic abstract contemporary acrylic and ballpoint pen painting (19" x 19") on canvas. It is signed on recto (front) by...

Category

2010s Contemporary Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

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Waiting For A Better Day, Large Abstract Painting by African American Artist
Waiting For A Better Day, Large Abstract Painting by African American Artist

Waiting For A Better Day, Large Abstract Painting by African American Artist

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

Waiting for a Better Day, 2022 by Bai is a large colorful abstract contemporary acrylic and ballpoint pen painting (42" x 54") on canvas by African-American artist Bai. It is signed ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas, Ballpoint Pen

Experiment, Jazz Inspired Drawing, Collage, Mixed Media Abstract Work on Paper

Experiment, Jazz Inspired Drawing, Collage, Mixed Media Abstract Work on Paper

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

A Neo-Primitive artist, Experiment is from Bai's Jazz series. It is a mixed media piece made with acrylic, oil pastel, glue, and collage work, with the artist's combining mark making...

Category

2010s Abstract Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Acrylic, Glue, Oil Pastel

Journey of the Ice Ship, acrylic, ink, work on paper, signed by the artist

Journey of the Ice Ship, acrylic, ink, work on paper, signed by the artist

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

Journey of the Ice Ship, 2017, painted with acrylic, is a work on paper by Carl Karni-Bain aka BAI, a Neo-Primitive artist. The work on paper is part of the D...

Category

2010s Outsider Art Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

Materials

Acrylic, Ink, Paper, Oil Pastel

Ragvaal, acrylic, oil stick, work on paper, signed by the artist

Ragvaal, acrylic, oil stick, work on paper, signed by the artist

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

Portrait of Ragvaal, 2017, painted with acrylic and oil pastel, is a work on paper by Carl Karni-Bain aka BAI, a Neo-Primitive artist. The piece is part of the Distroya Series based ...

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2010s Outsider Art Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) Art

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Acrylic, Oil Pastel, Paper, Oil Crayon

Bai (carl Karni-bain) art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) in acrylic paint, paint, synthetic resin paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) art, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Jim Polan, Tatiana Flis, and Susan Washington. Bai (Carl Karni-Bain) art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,500 and tops out at $8,000, while the average work can sell for $2,400.

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