Monday, August 11, 2008


Onli's "Itz A Rhythmistic World "was recently featured in the New York Times. Cool Globes express hot ideas for a cool planet. More can be found at http://www.coolglobes.org/
Web address: http://www.onlistudios.com/

www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/z/zzzzz

Sunday, August 03, 2008

"Reach" Oils 40"X30" 2001
Featured in the "No Evils" collection
and publication via spiritual section of http://www.comixpress.com/


Dear Editor

Chicago Artists Coalition News http://www.caconline.org/ ,


Re: "Art in the Round" by Nathaniel McLin
I was thrilled to see coverage in your July-August Issue of Rhythmism and the artwork of Turtel Onli. Rhythmism and Mr. Onli have been vital contributors to the Chicago Art scene for over 30 years. I had the privilege of showcasing his work in my Hyde Park gallery, Younger Gallery, throughout the 1980's. Mr. Onli was instrumental in bringing in several artists to exhibit in my space who also worked with Rhythmistic themes. These artists had been part of the guild Mr. Onli formed in the 70's, B.A.G. or Black Artist's Guild, that launched the careers of many of the young Black artists of that era. Younger Gallery featured many of these talents, whose vision was overlooked by the white mainstream arts establishment, contributing to the vitality of the arts on Chicago's Southside. I am pleased to see that Rhythmism and Mr. Onli are getting the press they have long deserved.
While the reporter may have added his own spin to Mr. Onli's work the vitality of future-primitif themes remains a strong core element of Rhythmism and the expression of the rhythmic energies inherent in life are key to its expression. More of Mr. Onli's potent blend of color, concept and movement can be seen on his blog, http://www.onli.blogspot.com/.

Sincerely,



Rebekah Younger
Woolwich, ME
former owner, The Younger Gallery
former chair, Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce
http://www.rebekahyounger.com/

Saturday, August 02, 2008


AT: Editor, CAC Publication

Dear Editor,

I was impressed by the review of the work of painter Turtel Onli in the July-August 2008 edition of your publication. During my visit to Chicago I enjoyed a personal tour of the painter's work guided by the artist, and I have read the aforementioned article with great interest. The review of Onli's work is creative in form and rich in language. It is obvious that the reviewer spent time considering the depth of what is represented in only two dimensions. I would add that the modular, sequential, and serial aspect of Onli's work is particularly relevant. Looking at a number of his works side by side, the threads and symbols that link them and makes them unique emerge, without rendering the body of work monotonous or repetitive.

To my surprise, Turtel Onli's personal style is not simply defined, by a specific type of stroke, a particular pallet of colors, or a distinctive preference for certain forms. Having now met the artist himself, and after years of owning one of his paintings gifted to me by a very dear friend, and admiring a number of the comic books illustrated by Onli, I surmise that Turtel Onli, when he paints, allows himself to be dictated by his essence: an African-American man,with multicultural and erotic sensitivity, and a deep, optimistic yearning to right the wrongs, actively.

I will continue to enjoy your publication in its on-line form from the hometown of Santiago, Chile, while I continue monitoring the evolution of the work of Turtel Onli.

Cordially,

Fabia Fuenzalida, Ed.M.Santiago, Chile