The Works of Itunuoluwa Ebijimi

I am an interdisciplinary artist, DJ, and shea butter entrepreneur living in Chicago. I experiment with a variety of mediums including fiber arts, photography, jewelry-making, and wearable sculptures. As I combined disciplines, my work weaved together cultural and visual histories of my Yoruba heritage and larger African diaspora. Exemplified by handmade cowrie jewelry or the recurring use of African wax-prints, I use visual motifs to connect African people across the globe. Ultimately my goal is to imagine the collective liberation of across the diaspora diaspora, regardless of gender, sexuality, or nationality. She has performed and exhibited work throughout the city of Chicago, including the Art Institute of Chicago, Gallery 400, and Mana Contemporary. 

HONORS 

June 2021: Recipient of “Artist Relief Grant” from Artist Relief Project
June 2021: Recipient of “COVID-19 Bridge Fund Grant” from Foundation for Contemporary Arts May 
September 2018: Speaker at ICUQTS: International Chicago Underground Queer Transcendance Symposium
February 2018: Featured speaker at "Crafting A Creative Career" Workshop presented by Felicia Holman, in partnership with Illinois Humanities' F.O.A.M. Program and the Chicago Park District
September 2016: Jury-selected artist in “De Nue” Exhibition at SUGS: Leroy Neiman Center Galleries
May 2016: Selected artist for  “Our Duty To Fight” Exhibition at Gallery 400
May 2016: Co-curated and exhibited at “Deconstructed Not Destroyed” at Mana Contemporary Chicago
May 2016: Solo exhibition “Obscene Epicene” at SUGS: Leroy Neiman Center Galleries
April 2016: Performed at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s “150th Anniversary Gala”
December 2015: Co-curated and exhibited at “Confronting the Abject”  at Mana Contemporary Chicago
February 2016: Curatorial Committee Member for Shared Histories; a joint anniversary exhibition by the Southside Community Art Center and School of the Art Institute 
June 2015 : Andrew W. Mellon Summer Academy Scholar at the Art Institute of Chicago
June 2015 : Ox-Bow Steketee Scholarship Recipient 
June 2015 : Ox-Bow Leroy Neiman Scholarship Recipient 

NOTABLE EVENTS 

November 2025:  Produced “Zounds & Zobo 2” at Happy Gallery, a collaging mixer connecting covid-conscioius Chicagoans
September 2025: Produced “Zounds & Zobo” at The Breathing Room, a social mixer for covid-conscious Chicagoans
April-May 2020: Co-Produced Planet Glazed present by Futurehood and Petty Butter - A livestreamed interview and performance series featuring local Black musicians and deejays discussing their work.
February 2020: Produced “ Vision: A Vision Board And Goal-Setting Workshop” Presented by Petty Butter at Reunion Chicago
September 2019: Co-Produced ¡ON TIME! at The STUD in San Francisco - A night of music and performance  at historic gaynightclub, The STUD, curated by Chicago queer Hip-Hop collective, Futurehood.
August 2019: Produced “Intimacy and Intentionality: A Night Market” Presented by Petty Butter at Reunion Chicago - A night market featuring local vendors, live music, and free HIV testing centered on the themes of wellness and self-preservation.
June 2018: Produced “Soft Power” at the Emporium Pop-ups 
February 2018: Produced “Intimate Gestures” A Body Positive Figure Drawing Class at Reunion Chicago