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Teniola Odunsi

@teniola_o

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somebody’s mum 👦🏾🇳🇬
“At Least We Tried: Essays” out now and on view at Co-Prosperity

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Showing two years worth of artistic exploration with the end result being a book of essays, watercolor, audio of readings of my work, and book bindings that incorporate traditional Yoruba ankara and wax fabrics when all I thought I would end up with my idea of a “book” is so incredible to me. I’m eternally grateful for the love support care, and grace shown by all of my @wild_yams network, friends, and family near and far. To think that I almost didn’t apply!

I know that this is only the beginning my practice and I am excited to see what comes next. Until then, go and see this work!!! My fellow Yams have created such beautiful stories and inspired me so much – I would not be dabbling in the visual arts without them.

And for my fellow mothers – keep creating, keep doing, keep finding five minutes to write, paint, think, record, and explore who and what you are beyond and in collaboration with being “Mom”.

Ways to buy a physical copy and donate for a PDF of “At Least We Tried: Essays” are coming soon. Until then, we’ll see you all at @coprosperitychicago for an Artist Talk on Wednesday, August 26th from 6-8 PM 💛 taken in Co-Prosperity by @teniola_o

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2 months ago

Well. @nytparenting asked its readership what it has been like to be a Black parent in 2020. For me, that has meant parenting amid a pandemic, social reckoning with racism, virtual school, #ENDSARS from afar, an election and everything else that this year brought our way. I answered and for whatever serendipitous reason, my response was chosen for a photo essay that you can check out at nytimes.com. Shoutout to the other parents featured and every Black Mom, Dad, and child worldwide. We made it through. Thank you to @dani_mcclain, a force in scholarship and journalism on Black motherhood who I greatly admire and @nolis for their kindness and sensitivity in sharing our stories.

And on this vulnerable but lovely note! Love to everyone in the last two weeks of this year! Appreciate sharing all of the highs and lows of this year with ya and wishing the best for the new year and beyond. Byeeee ✌🏾 by @teniola_o

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6 years ago

Beyond proud and excited to have been included in a cohort of Black mothers and caregivers as part of the @wild_yams SEED Residency! Finally writing a book of essays, y’all! Thank you to everyone who has supported my newsletter, which is the catalyst for this year long project and to the amazing arts organizers who put this residency together @wild_yams and @alyssahydemartinez @a.martinez_arts because to have resources to explore this side of myself, with my kid in tow, is a privilege and honor. Seeing and building my work, by hand, in physical form is going to be incredible for the younger me to behold. 🫶🏾 “At Least We Tried” coming January 2026 📖

Thank you @aoctaviusw for taking the time to do this shoot! You are the homie 5ever 📸 taken in Chicago, Illinois by @teniola_o

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2 years ago

Big 1️⃣2️⃣ over here!!!!! Happy happy birthday to my big man Kenneth Jude! You are so talented and your future is so bright. Thank you for being a part of my journey as a Mom and human. I am made better by you everyday. Keep shining ⭐️🤩

And what a beautiful act of God that I get to celebrate one of my very BEST friends on the same day. Words can’t say how much we love you @alyssahydemartinez

Love my August Virgos so much ♍️ by @teniola_o

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a month ago

Two years after joining the @wild_yams Seed Residency, our 5 gorgeous girls have our final exhibition open this month! Lots I could say about this beautiful experience. You’ll just have to idk… read my art book “At Least We Tried: Essays” to hear what hasn’t already been said. Our opening reception, where we would love to celebrate with you, is happening on Friday, August 14th at @coprosperitychicago 👯🏾‍♀️See you there! And enjoy these early/mid summer memories in the meantime 🖌️🖼️ by @teniola_o

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2 months ago

Imagine, for a moment, that your Mother had, at some point between being a creator of your life and (a fact that most seem to forget) her own, had also created an annual tradition. She would bring you, maybe your siblings, maybe a friend or family member, and all of her art supplies to a place up north to just make. When you arrived, you were greeted there by some of her closest friends and confidantes. They would spend every evening having conversations on plush couches, sometimes crying, holding hands, recounting the new and old that they had endured or celebrated since the last time they’ve been gathered at that place. You, a kid, child or baby, maybe believing you had no art practice, would get to dip your feet into cold creeks, make paper by hand, be allowed to wield knives to cut cucumbers without your Mom‘s usual helicopter-like supervision, make fires and see Venus atop Jupiter through telescopes. You ate deliciously every night and got to wake up slowly every morning, smelling like mesquite from smores made on open fire. At the end of each day, your Mom came back exhausted but invigorated, having made and thought and written and recorded and painted or just sat and listened to the birds all day. You and your Mother ran, screaming, from large, unidentifiable bugs together. You massaged out conflicts amongst your various groups. Sometimes, people had to leave early. Some years, your friends had to stay home. But at some point between June and August, you could count on this tradition, and on your Mom’s sounds of laughter and love for a weekend.

That exists and it’s @acreresidency x @wild_yams I can not wait for our exhibition in August. You are going to see some incredible works from this cohort with the help of our curators and our fearless leaders. Thank you, Acre, for an amazing Year 3 🩶 taken in ACRE Residency by @teniola_o

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4 months ago

OH Art Foundation celebrating 2nd Black History Festival of the Arts presents “mOTHERing Black Dialectics” an exploration on how Black artist mothers and caretakers utilize language to share stories of motherhood and many more … by Wisdom Baty with @wild_yams

Artist: Andrea Hill Fitzgerald @andreahill.art , Summer Coleman @summercolemandesign , Teniola Odunsi @teniola_o , and Alexy Irving-Alleyne @wherenextlex

Founded in 2013, OH Art Foundation is to strengthen Chicago communities by offering accessible art education, exhibitions, events, and programs that promote understanding of diverse cultures through art. Central to this mission is OHAF’s long-term vision of cultivating a sustainable cultural ecosystem — one that supports cross-cultural experiences, unites communities as one, and fosters meaningful collaboration among artists, cultural organizations, local businesses, and residents through its annual festivals and year-round programming.

Video edit by Youth member @alinazmedia
Program or sponsorship Inquiries - info@ohartfoundation.org

Thank you Bad Owl Coffee @badowlcoffee

Bad Owl Coffee is a specialty coffee shop known for its creative drinks, house-roasted beans, and cozy wizard-inspired atmosphere. Founded in 2016 in Henderson, Nevada by Annie Zhu and Yu Zhu, the café blends imaginative themes with specialty coffee culture. In March 2021, it opened its first Midwest location in Bridgeport, Chicago. It has since become a favorite spot for unique lattes, artisan coffee, and a magical café experience. ☕🦉

2026 OH Art Cultural Community Programs sponsored by @elevated_chi @thechicagocommunitytrust @illinoisartscouncil @ilhumanities

#BHFA2026 #Ohartfestivals #OhArtFoundation #Wildyams #oharttours taken in Oh Art Foundation by @teniola_o

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7 months ago

Having a winter birthday had me so down this week. Gathering people is hard enough! I don’t want to host! And the sun only seems to peek out on the very coldest days. But, unsurprisingly, I still found cause to have gratitude and my people still showed up, in earnest. Many a good thing coming in this next year. I look forward to its unfolding 🎆 by @teniola_o

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9 months ago

Feeling so much gratitude for August. What a whirlwind of friends past and present, celebrations of life, and all of the beauty of time away and at home by @teniola_o

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a year ago

I get to be Mama to a kind and curious Virgo. Happy 11th birthday Jude! May God continue to bless you with amazing family and friends, good food and beautiful adventures- all of your favorite things. Keep shining! ⭐️💛 by @teniola_o

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a year ago

Making memories with family, the ultimate blessing 🌴🫶🏾🥰 taken in Punta Cana, República Dominicana by @teniola_o

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a year ago

Changed employment status, hair, grades, neighborhoods, book progress, and levels of care in certain places and spaces in exactly 4 weeks. Juneteenth and new life celebrations all happening in the days ahead 🙂‍↕️🥰 by @teniola_o

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a year ago