The Intersection of Art, Birthwork, and Connection: A Conversation with Oni Jamora
Art and storytelling are powerful tools for connection, healing, and self-reflection. In the latest episode of Urban Artist Talk, host Andre Jahmora, aka Natty Rebel, dives deep into these themes with his guest, Oni Jahmora—an artist, birth worker, and social justice advocate.
The episode unfolds as an honest, engaging dialogue that touches on art, intimacy, family, and advocacy.
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Oni's Artistic Journey: Stained Glass and Beyond
Oni reflects on her evolution as an artist, reconnecting with her identity through stained glass. Inspired by her grandmother's work, stained glass became her medium of choice, allowing her to tell stories through the interplay of light, color, and texture.
Oni describes the meticulous process: creating stencils, selecting glass, and assembling designs that are deeply personal yet universally resonant.
While she downplays her painterly skills, Andre challenges this notion, pointing to her past works, including a painting created before motherhood. Her humility underscores a recurring theme:
The tension between being labeled an artist and simply expressing oneself through creation.
How Love and Art Intertwine
Art and love converge as Oni and Andre recount the early days of their relationship. A defining moment? Oni’s creation of a painting that featured Andre’s anatomy—a bold, intimate act that celebrated vulnerability and connection.
Oni's motivation was simple: a desire to capture something rarely represented in art with a perspective that felt fresh and personal.
The couple also shares how they met through a shared interest in organites—energy-focused creations that combine organic and inorganic materials.
Their connection blossomed as they explored art, community, and a shared vision for their future.
Art Meets Advocacy: Birthwork and Community
As a birth worker and advocate for maternal health, Oni integrates art into her work to empower families. Her recent role as an art curator at a local health conference allowed her to combine her artistic sensibilities with her advocacy for mothers and families. Through gallery curation, community vision boards, and interactive installations,
Oni fosters conversations about motherhood, empowerment, and the birthing process.
Her work with Coco Doulas, a nonprofit serving Black women in Contra Costa County, highlights the critical need for maternal care outside traditional hospital settings.
Oni advocates for home births, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming autonomy and creating safe, personalized spaces for this sacred process.
The Complex Relationship Between Art and Technology
Oni shares her experiences with Procreate and even dabbling in AI-generated art, acknowledging the convenience of digital tools while maintaining a reverence for traditional, hands-on creation.
Andre and Oni discuss how art collectors value not just the final product but the story and humanity behind the work—an element AI struggles to replicate.
Navigating Intimacy and Parenthood
The conversation explores the impact of parenthood on intimacy, emphasizing the importance of open communication, patience, and mutual understanding. Oni and Andre share how therapy became a pivotal tool for reconnecting during challenging times, helping them navigate the demands of parenting and their personal relationship.
Andre offers a heartfelt reflection on the sacrifices and adjustments required to create a secure, nurturing environment for their family.
For Oni, self-care and creating beautiful spaces—both physical and emotional—are essential for maintaining balance.
Honoring Creation in All Its Forms
As Oni and Andre discuss the intrinsic value of art, the body, and creation itself. Oni's advocacy for honoring placentas and other natural elements ties back to a central theme:
The importance of respecting and nurturing what is inherently ours.