Turtel Onli facts for kids

Turtel Onli (January 25, 1952 – January 15, 2025) was an American artist, author, and educator. He was also a publisher and an art therapist.

Onli created many different types of art. This included paintings, drawings, and illustrations. He also worked in publishing and fashion. He wrote and drew many comic books and graphic novels. Some of his famous works are NOG, Protector of the Pyramids and Malcolm 10.

He is known as "the Father" of the "Black Age of Comics." This movement helps create and support comic books that focus on African culture. Onli also created the term "Rhythmism." This word describes his unique art style. It mixes old and new ideas. He taught art in Chicago Public Schools for over 20 years.

Turtel Onli's Life Story

Early Years and Learning

Turtel Onli was born on January 25, 1952. He studied art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He earned a degree in Fine Arts there. Later, he returned to get a Master's degree in Art Therapy. He also studied art in Paris, France. He attended The Sorbonne and the Centre Georges Pompidou.

His Creative Journey

In 1970, Onli started the Black Arts Guild (BAG). This group held art shows and published members' work. He published Funk Book in 1974. He also made a series of greeting cards. In the early 1980s, he created a comic zine called Future Funk.

Onli's art was used by many companies. These included Chicago Magazine and McDonald's. His work is part of important art collections. These include the Chicago Children's Museum. He also sold his first painting to Johnson Publishing Company when he was just 19.

Onli was a visiting artist at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In 2005, he helped organize an art show. It featured his grandfather's art and his own "Rhythmistic" paintings. In 2010, he opened Onli Studios in Chicago.

Onli as an Educator

From 1984 to 1989, Onli worked as an art therapist. He helped young people in Chicago's Robert Taylor Homes. He also taught art in Chicago Public Schools.

Onli taught at Columbia College Chicago. He was also a professor at Harold Washington College. He taught Art Appreciation and Drawing there. He founded the Black Arts Guild (B.A.G.). This group helped young artists develop their skills.

His Comic Creations

Turtel Onli created many characters. These characters often showed his "Rhythmistic" style. They were inspired by African culture. His characters often showed strong heroes. These heroes defended those who were weaker. He used the idea of "hero vs. villain" to share his messages.

One of his first Afrocentric comic characters was NOG. NOG stands for Nubian of Greatness. NOG first appeared in the Chicago Defender newspaper in 1979. Later, NOG had his own comic book. It was called NOG, Protector of the Pyramides (1981-1982). NOG returned in later comics like Nog is Back!! (1994) and Nog Nu!! (2011).

The Black Age of Comics

In 1993, Onli started the first Black Age of Comics convention. It was held in Chicago. This event happened for three years in a row. Since then, Black Age of Comics conventions have been held in many cities. These include Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Detroit. The annual ECBACC in Philadelphia is a very well-known one.

Turtel Onli's Passing

Turtel Onli passed away on January 15, 2025. He was 72 years old.

Awards and Recognitions

• 2006: He received the Glyph Comics Awards Pioneer Award. This award recognized his efforts to bring positive and diverse images to comics.

Turtel Onli's Works

Books and Comics

• NOG: Protector of the Pyramides (1981–1982)
• Future Funk (1980s)
• Malcolm 10 (1992)
• Sustah-Girl (1993) – with Cassandra Washington
• Grammar Patrol (1994) – with Cassandra Washington
• Nog is Back (1994)
• The Origins of Team Blanga: Heroes of the Black Age (2007)
• Let's Go Green in the City (2008)
• Sasa (2010)
• Nog Nu!! (2011)
• East/West Zodiac & Journal – with Kocao Winbush
• The Legend of the AZANIAC

Art Exhibitions

• 1977: Second World Festival of Black and African Art and Culture (FESTAC) (Lagos, Nigeria) – group show
• 1991: Prairie Avenue Gallery (Chicago, Illinois) – "The Return of Watermelon: The Redefining of a Stereotype" – group show
• 2001: The African American Cultural Center (Chicago)
• 2005: Center for the Visual and Performing Arts (Munster, Indiana) – “Reverend Phillips and Turtel Onli: An Artistic and Spiritual Legacy”
• 2006: The Kennedy Center – "Turtel Onli as a Tortellini"
• 2007: "Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet Chicago" group show – "It'z A Rhythmsitic World. Never Boring!!!"
• 2011: Tubman African American Museum (Macon, Georgia) – "Afro Futurism in the Visual Arts" – group show
• 2011: ETA Creative Arts Foundation (Chicago) – “Passion Fruit: The Other Chicago Black Movement” – solo exhibition
• 2013: DuSable Museum of African American History (Chicago) – "AFRICOBRA: Art and Impact" – group show
• 2015: Harold Washington Library Center (Chicago) – Rhythmistic Journey: The Art Enterprises of Turtel Onli
• 2020: Hyde Park Arts Center (Chicago) "Rhythmistic Residency"
• 2024: Cafe Logan at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts (Chicago)