Jelsen Lee Innocent

Shifting Coordinates, Peer Review & Kunstnerforbundet, 2026. Photo Ousu Leigh

Jelsen Lee Innocent (b. 1983, NYC) is a Haitian-American interdisciplinary artist based in Norway. His research and studio practice examine the lasting impacts of imperialism across social hierarchies, built environments, and visual culture. Integrating intellectual history, installation-making, and participatory initiatives, his work surfaces narratives that challenge hegemonic structures and open space for alternative imaginaries.

Portrait of Jelsen Lee Innocent. Photo Ayan Abdi

Innocent founded the discursive platform Peer Review (est. 2024) for cultural analysis across Black visual culture. Since its establishment, Peer Review members gather for monthly in-person meetings at Atelier Kunstnerforbundet and field trips that host a space to respond and reflect on Black expressions in art, media, and popular culture.

Facial Recognition Therapy. Film Still 2025

He has exhibited internationally, including at Iwalewahaus (Germany), the 32nd Biennial of Graphic Arts (Slovenia), Culture Art Society (Denmark), the Smithsonian’s Men of Change traveling exhibition (US), Kunsthall Trondheim (Norway), and Nitja Senter for Samtidskunst (Norway).