Onli won a fashion show contest with a provocative Watermelon themed wearable art outfit at the Park West Club of Chicago in 1990. The First Place prize was a Club Med vacation for two. Here he is pictured along with Toni B. modeling one of those creations, in front of the fabric work created by Jim Smoote which inspired BAG to adopt the red, black,& Green watermelon as its logo.
BAG was an artists guild which Onli started in 1970 and directed until 1976. In 1991 BAG gave a retrospective exhibition which focused on the group's iconic symbol, the watermelon. This is an invitation to that landmark exhibition. BAG presented its first watermelon themed show in 1973 at the AFAM Gallery in Chicago. and again as the featured exhibition for the Black Esthetics Show in 1976 at the Museum of Science and Industry of Chicago. The members of BAG have explored, innovated, and promoted so many aspects of creative visual Black thought and creativity over the decades.

Collectors, educators, and curators may want to take a closer look into the work and legacy of the BAG artists.

The idea of Onli revisiting a sensitive theme before the art world is ready for it for further exploration and interpretation is not new.
Just like his tendency to think in terms of collections and movements.
This is explored on his curriculum website at www.cuip.net/~tonli/wit2002.

Copyright 2008 Turtel Onli


We do take major credit cards and can be reached at Onli@sbcglobal.net.

Copyright 2008

"Wading Da Water" is a serene Rhythmistic acrylic on canvas masterwork that embraces a spiritual message about communing with nature. It combines grace with strength. The powerfully depicted central figure shares her space with two other women in joy for life and a celebration of cleansing. Onli's work is as universal as it is innovative in how he combines concepts with technique to express ideas in a Rhythmistic context.

These two delicate drawings show Onli's sensitivity when using line and texture to capture and express an emotion. Both images were later completed in watercolor and are part of a growing popular collection of neo-classical Rhythmistic works.


Each work in this collection carries a story that embraces
the human character and spiritual persona.

Visit www.cuip.net/~tonli/wit2002 to learn more about appreciating visual art and the work of this nouveau master.