THROUGH MARCH 15, 2026 | DETROIT – Khary Mason’s FRIENDLY FIRE explores 30 years in Detroit law enforcement through photography, creative imagery, artifacts and memorabilia. Mason is a multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, and former DPD Homicide Detective. The works he has developed and assembled in “Friendly Fire” reveal his experiences on both sides of the badge, and offer perspectives rarely, if ever, seen and shared. The exhibition opens with a reception on Sunday, January 25, 2026 and continues with an Open House and Artist Talk on Sunday, February 1st with more programming to follow.
“Friendly Fire” is a term used when a person or group accidentally harms their own side
in a military or police operation.”
In this photographic series, the viewer witnesses the path of the artist, Khary Mason, immersed in a world of service, beginning with the naive, unfiltered perspective of a child––This child heard Andy Griffith’s whistle for the first time and took in the heroic sights and scenes from all the popular police television series of his era. He pledged allegiance to the flag, repeated The Scout’s Oath, and grew up aspiring to make a difference in his community. Eventually, he entered the police academy, with all the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed enthusiasm of a hero-in-the-making.
Throughout more than 28 years of service in the city of Detroit, Mason discovered and endured many hard truths – not only about the communities he served but, more importantly, about the inner-workings of a system at odds with his intentions and everything he was trained to believe. Through photography and scenic reimaginations, Friendly Fire exposes some of Mason’s experiences and examines the history, state, and future of law enforcement in these United States of America.
Khary Mason was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He is a former Detroit Police Homicide Detective, who brought his service in law enforcement full-circle in the Conviction Integrity space from 2020-2025 – where he helped obtain the exoneration of six individuals who spent a combined total of 142 years behind bars for crimes they didn’t commit. Harnessing the power of art through storytelling, friendship, and mentorship, Mason also facilitated “Capturing Belief”– an inner-city youth photography program that operated for seven years, through 2023. Mason, who has exhibited his work since 2022, continues to resource projects and programs designed to enrich and safeguard the lives of the next generation. His photography also appears in “Framing Fatherhood: A Celebration of Black Fathers” authored by Imani M. Cheers and published by Simon & Schuster in 2025.
FRIENDLY FIRE travels to Irwin House from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, MI, and Khary Mason’s work was produced with support from FUJIFILM. The exhibition runs through Sunday, March 15, 2026. Hours of operation are Thurs thru Sat from 12pm-7pm and Sunday from 12pm -5pm; by appointment other days/times. All programs are FREE to attend/Donations are welcome. Irwin House Gallery 2351 W. Grand Blvd. (between LaSalle & Linwood) Detroit, MI 48208. Ph: 313.932.7690 | E: irwinhousegallery@gmail.com FB+IG: @IRWINS
