Short Bio
Teneille Prosper is a native of New Orleans and a proud mother of three daughters. She is also a product of the former New Orleans public school system and an alumni of McDonogh 35 Sr. High School. She studied Fine Arts at Xavier University under the tutelage of renowned Artist John T. Scott as well as New Orleans artist and educator Richard C. Thomas. Despite her collegiate accolades and scholarships earned, instead of pursuing art professionally, she ultimately chose to marry and raise a family in Atlanta for the past 20 years. Life changes have recently led her back to her hometown where she has reassumed her role as an artist and her responsibility as a culture bearer for her community. She aims to use her unique perspective and skills to engage with the community and create works that serve as a bridge between the past and present, encouraging dialogue and reflection on issues of identity and social justice.
Statement
Teneille Prosper is an African American female artist, storyteller and activist whose creations connect the experiences of African Americans, specifically African American women, to their ancestral past while simultaneously demonstrating their significance in contemporary society. As an artist, her work explores themes such as cultural identity, historical trauma, and the struggle for social justice through various mediums, including acrylic painting and mixed media. She believes that histories can be forgotten in one generation if stories aren’t told. That’s where her works’ purpose become relevant. By employing motifs and symbols from African American history and mythology, she seeks to foster a sense of pride and empowerment within her audience while challenging them to confront the ongoing legacy of racism and oppression. Teneille want her creations to provoke and educate in a moment. Ultimately, her work aims to inspire a greater understanding and appreciation of the complex intersections of race, gender, and culture that define the African American experience.
