Father, 2018, carved wood, metal, pencil, ink on paper, paint and neon glass, 32" x 25" x 6"
Three portraits from the Out Migration Series, graphite, ink and thread, approx. 6.5" x 9.5 " ea |
William Rhodes
Threads of Consciousness June 1 - July 15, 2023
Artist's Reception Saturday, June 3rd from 1-4 pm Artist's Talk Saturday, June 17th at 2 pm |
Please contact us at mail@thetransissiongallery.com to inquire William Rhodes' work in Threads of Consciousness:
Transmission Gallery is pleased to present Threads of Consciousness, a solo exhibition of work by William Rhodes.
Tying together imagery and text through neon, found materials, wood carving, drawing, and thread, Rhodes' work comments on the connections created by conflict, trauma, longing, and hope carried through the generations. Altar-like constructions illuminated with neon pay homage to personal experience and family legacy while reaching deep into the history of forced immigration, enslavement, and social unrest, examining both the searing moments of brutality and powerful moments of grace that imbue our national story with layered anguish as well as meaningful occasions of courage and conscience. A series of intimate thread and graphite portraits compliment the larger neon assemblage and hand-carved works, evoking a reverence for the connections that link one person to another across time and experience.
Originally trained as a furniture designer and woodworker, Rhodes affinity for handling wood and materials is well evident, while study and travel have stoked an appreciation of diverse cultures and non-Western art strategies. In this era of seemingly relentless new and now, Rhodes stands as a strong proponent of honoring the generational stories and humanity of elders in the community through his own creative pursuits as well as collaborative projects and events. The works in exhibition here are imbued with this recognition and affection, grounding each piece, binding past to present while offering a way forward as we reflect on and consider our dreams for the future.
Rhodes received a BA in Furniture Building and Design from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and an MFA from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. Rhodes’ creative works are in the collections of various galleries and museums. Most recently, his work was included in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Rhodes, dedicates part of his time to art education, including art collaborations with schools in San Francisco, South Africa, Italy, and Egypt. Rhodes is the co-founder of a Black art collective in San Francisco. The 3.9 Art Collective was formed in 2011 in response to the declining Black population in San Francisco.
Tying together imagery and text through neon, found materials, wood carving, drawing, and thread, Rhodes' work comments on the connections created by conflict, trauma, longing, and hope carried through the generations. Altar-like constructions illuminated with neon pay homage to personal experience and family legacy while reaching deep into the history of forced immigration, enslavement, and social unrest, examining both the searing moments of brutality and powerful moments of grace that imbue our national story with layered anguish as well as meaningful occasions of courage and conscience. A series of intimate thread and graphite portraits compliment the larger neon assemblage and hand-carved works, evoking a reverence for the connections that link one person to another across time and experience.
Originally trained as a furniture designer and woodworker, Rhodes affinity for handling wood and materials is well evident, while study and travel have stoked an appreciation of diverse cultures and non-Western art strategies. In this era of seemingly relentless new and now, Rhodes stands as a strong proponent of honoring the generational stories and humanity of elders in the community through his own creative pursuits as well as collaborative projects and events. The works in exhibition here are imbued with this recognition and affection, grounding each piece, binding past to present while offering a way forward as we reflect on and consider our dreams for the future.
Rhodes received a BA in Furniture Building and Design from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and an MFA from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. Rhodes’ creative works are in the collections of various galleries and museums. Most recently, his work was included in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Rhodes, dedicates part of his time to art education, including art collaborations with schools in San Francisco, South Africa, Italy, and Egypt. Rhodes is the co-founder of a Black art collective in San Francisco. The 3.9 Art Collective was formed in 2011 in response to the declining Black population in San Francisco.
