Jamilla Okubo is an interdisciplinary artist exploring themes of self-making, spirituality, interiority, and Black womanhood through her American, Kenyan, and Trinidadian heritage. Integrating figurative painting, pattern design, and fashion, she uses dress as a central motif to narrate stories of self-expression and cultural agency. Okubo's vibrant compositions feature layered patterns inspired by traditional kanga cloth and African folklore, creating a dynamic interplay between figure and ground. Her work situates Black figures in symbolic spaces that blend reality with mythology, highlighting resilience and grace within the African diaspora. Okubo bridges fine art and design, inviting viewers to reflect on collective histories and envision harmonious futures.

Okubo has had exhibitions at 1-54 Contemporary African Art fair (New York), The House of Fine Arts (London), Southampton Arts Center, and Mehari Sequar Gallery (DC). Her work has appeared on the covers of Moses, Man of the Mountain by Zora Neale Hurston, An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, and Älskade by Toni Morrison. Collaborations with brands like Christian Dior and Meta further showcase her layered visual narratives that honor identity and belonging.