As we hunker down here in most parts of the U.S. for the coldest part of our year, southwestern Nigeria is in its Harmattan season – dusty, with cold nights. Tunde Odunlade is again back in the studio, preparing works to showcase in the upcoming season, 2016.

The end of 2015 was incredibly busy as he toured the Washington, D.C. area, exhibiting and conducting workshops with ICEHA, the organization founded by Carolyn Ronis that uses the power of art to heal the trauma of war. He rounded out the season in Washington with a small-gallery show at the home of art professionals and collectors Franko Khoury and Jan Van Gilder in Mt. Pleasant.

Carolyn Ronis, ICEHA Founder

The latest in BQT: beads. 2015 – detail

The incomparable Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), supports ICEHA’s mission

Tunde Odunlade in song at Bukom Cafe, Sept. 2015 #ICEHA

The artist in a reflective mood

Tinuke and Tunde Odunlade, on the occasion of their daughter Ronke’s wedding, Dec. 23, 2015

Tunde Odunlade with Nigerian artist

The latest in BQT: beads. 2015

Tunde Odunlade explains the work at Khoury-Van Gilder’s in October 2015, Washington, DC

Tunde returned to Nigeria at the end of last year in time for his own birthday (which he strives to celebrate every year at home in Ibadan, Nigeria) – and to celebrate the wedding of his firstborn daughter, Ronke.

Yes, 2015 was a very big year. It involved travel to conduct workshops or mount exhibitions in almost every corner of the U.S. — from Washington D.C. to Atlanta, Georgia; to San Antonio, Texas; to Seattle, Washington; to New York and New England.

Now, 2016 gets off to a bang with a show sponsored by the Olaju Art Group at the Brick at Blue Star on March 16, during San Antonio’s ‘Contemporary Art Month.’ (More about that later!)

Stick with us. We know he will show this year in Atlanta and Chicago. A collaborative show is in development in the Bay Area. It’s going to be exciting!!!

Stay tuned.

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