William Rhodes, Angela Davis Quilt, paint, pencil, pen and fabric, 65 x 50"
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Solo Exhibition in the Small Space at Transmission Gallery
William Rhodes
TRIBUTESeptember 19 - November 9, 2024 Artist's Reception October 12th from 1-4 pm Oakland Style Week Bus Tour Stop scheduled at 4 pm ____________________ Stop in any time throughout the afternoon to greet artist William Rhodes, along with designer Najee Strickland, who will be presenting his new clothing collection, Blue and Gold. Najee Strickland and William Rhodes will discuss their work during the Oakland Style Week Bus Tour Stop scheduled for 4 pm. |
Rhodes' hails from a line of influential and active leaders. His grandfather William C. Rhodes (1902-2006), was well known in his job at the YMCA in Harlem, NY in the 20's. Through his various roles and activities he came in contact with Black luminaries such as Langston Hughes, Booker T. Washington, W. E. B. DuBois, and the boxer Joe Johnson. At one time, working at the YMCA in Baltimore, he taught gymnastics to Cab Calloway. Athletic and forthright, Rhodes was able to make a
Rhodes' father , William C. Rhodes, Jr. was the publisher of the Black Times Magazine from 1968-1978, a magazine that featured articles on Civil Rights activists and other Black heroes at a time their experience was largely minimized or excluded from main stream publications. Although the magazine had a wide circulation in Baltimore and Chicago at the height of its popularity, only a few issues are known to exist today.
Rhodes grandmother was also a profound influence on his work. A well regarded seamstress, she taught him the stitch he uses in his Outmigration Series threaded drawings while the spools of red thread found in her home after her death inspired the red thread elements of the work.
In addition to his own works, Rhodes embraces creative collaboration through quilt making as a way to build community while celebrating and strengthening the ties, especially the intergenerational ties, between people. Of note, artists James Phillips and Emory Douglas have shared images of their work with Rhodes. Featured as centerpieces, these images, encircled by portraits of little known members of the Black community in Rhodes' neighborhood, serve to connect their meaningful cultural, social and artistic contributions as through-lines to the wider community. One of Rhodes former teachers, Phillips, is recognized for his use of color and graphic stylized elements, with pieces now held in several notable collections including the Smithsonian. A past member of the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists (AfriCOBRA) and Weusi, Phillips continues to influence the next generation as an educator and lecturer at Howard University.
As the former Minister of Culture and Revolutionary Artist for the Black Panther Party, Emory Douglas is well known for his work with the Black Panther Party, providing nearly all the images for its publications. With a focus on simple, bold and clear images outlined in black, Douglas' work served as a beacon and call to arms for a community struggling under police brutality and oppression. These images, along with images from The Black Times preserve and solidify the determination of the Black community to continue to address injustice, despite the painful setbacks of all-to-frequent incidents of brutality and death.
More about the collaboration between William Rhodes and Emory Douglas
Originally trained in traditional woodworking and furniture design at the Baltimore School of Fine Arts and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Rhodes work blends fine art, craft and design with meaning and function. His public art works include four Bayview history quilts (San Francsico Arts Commission) and his work is included in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Incorporating art in his role as a community activist, Rhodes co-founded the 3.9 Collective in San Francisco, and created an intergenerational art program in San Francisco’s Bayview. Recently he hosted a series of quilt workshops and interviews with seniors in Bayview/Hunters Point salvaging their stories and recognizing their contributions serving the country in the shipyards at Hunter's Point. The culmination of this yearlong project with Stacey Carter is on view through October 5th, 2024, in the African American Shipyard History Quilts exhibition at the Hunter's Point Shipyards, open Saturdays September 21, 28, and October 5, from 1 -5 p.m. Stacey Carter and William Rhodes will discuss the project at the Talk with the Artists, Saturday, October 5, 2-4 p.m. To RSVP for Free Tickets and for more information about the project: www.shipyardartists.com/african-american-shipyard-history-quilt-project/
Also check out their radio interview on KQED: https://omny.fm/.../bayview-hunters-point-exhibit...
Rhodes' father , William C. Rhodes, Jr. was the publisher of the Black Times Magazine from 1968-1978, a magazine that featured articles on Civil Rights activists and other Black heroes at a time their experience was largely minimized or excluded from main stream publications. Although the magazine had a wide circulation in Baltimore and Chicago at the height of its popularity, only a few issues are known to exist today.
Rhodes grandmother was also a profound influence on his work. A well regarded seamstress, she taught him the stitch he uses in his Outmigration Series threaded drawings while the spools of red thread found in her home after her death inspired the red thread elements of the work.
In addition to his own works, Rhodes embraces creative collaboration through quilt making as a way to build community while celebrating and strengthening the ties, especially the intergenerational ties, between people. Of note, artists James Phillips and Emory Douglas have shared images of their work with Rhodes. Featured as centerpieces, these images, encircled by portraits of little known members of the Black community in Rhodes' neighborhood, serve to connect their meaningful cultural, social and artistic contributions as through-lines to the wider community. One of Rhodes former teachers, Phillips, is recognized for his use of color and graphic stylized elements, with pieces now held in several notable collections including the Smithsonian. A past member of the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists (AfriCOBRA) and Weusi, Phillips continues to influence the next generation as an educator and lecturer at Howard University.
As the former Minister of Culture and Revolutionary Artist for the Black Panther Party, Emory Douglas is well known for his work with the Black Panther Party, providing nearly all the images for its publications. With a focus on simple, bold and clear images outlined in black, Douglas' work served as a beacon and call to arms for a community struggling under police brutality and oppression. These images, along with images from The Black Times preserve and solidify the determination of the Black community to continue to address injustice, despite the painful setbacks of all-to-frequent incidents of brutality and death.
More about the collaboration between William Rhodes and Emory Douglas
Originally trained in traditional woodworking and furniture design at the Baltimore School of Fine Arts and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Rhodes work blends fine art, craft and design with meaning and function. His public art works include four Bayview history quilts (San Francsico Arts Commission) and his work is included in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Incorporating art in his role as a community activist, Rhodes co-founded the 3.9 Collective in San Francisco, and created an intergenerational art program in San Francisco’s Bayview. Recently he hosted a series of quilt workshops and interviews with seniors in Bayview/Hunters Point salvaging their stories and recognizing their contributions serving the country in the shipyards at Hunter's Point. The culmination of this yearlong project with Stacey Carter is on view through October 5th, 2024, in the African American Shipyard History Quilts exhibition at the Hunter's Point Shipyards, open Saturdays September 21, 28, and October 5, from 1 -5 p.m. Stacey Carter and William Rhodes will discuss the project at the Talk with the Artists, Saturday, October 5, 2-4 p.m. To RSVP for Free Tickets and for more information about the project: www.shipyardartists.com/african-american-shipyard-history-quilt-project/
Also check out their radio interview on KQED: https://omny.fm/.../bayview-hunters-point-exhibit...
More about William Rhodes
Biography
San Francisco-based artist William Rhodes began his sculptural practice on the East Coast, where he studied sculpture and furniture design at the Baltimore School of Fine Arts and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He later obtained his MFA from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. His work draws inspiration from his travels outside the US and his observations of theology, spirituality, and astrology.
Before his move to the West Coast, his wood sculptures and furniture had been featured in numerous shows and publications. Upon relocating, he embarked on a journey examining the correlation between materials and their meaning, particularly in relation to environmental issues. Rhodes often explores the idea that materials have a distinct spirit and inherent characteristics that can enhance specific pieces, often incorporating recycled and found objects into his artwork.
His creative works are featured in numerous galleries and museums. Notably, his art has recently become part of the collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
For the past 12 years, it has been his passion to share his love for art and public service, taking on roles as an instructor and, more recently, as the Intergenerational Community Arts Program Director at Bayview Services. He also dedicates a portion of his time to art education, collaborating with schools and Senior Centers in various locations, including San Francisco, South Africa, Italy, and Egypt. Rhodes is one of the co-founders of the 3.9 Art Collective, a Black art collective in San Francisco formed in 2011 in response to the declining Black population in the city.
San Francisco-based artist William Rhodes began his sculptural practice on the East Coast, where he studied sculpture and furniture design at the Baltimore School of Fine Arts and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He later obtained his MFA from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. His work draws inspiration from his travels outside the US and his observations of theology, spirituality, and astrology.
Before his move to the West Coast, his wood sculptures and furniture had been featured in numerous shows and publications. Upon relocating, he embarked on a journey examining the correlation between materials and their meaning, particularly in relation to environmental issues. Rhodes often explores the idea that materials have a distinct spirit and inherent characteristics that can enhance specific pieces, often incorporating recycled and found objects into his artwork.
His creative works are featured in numerous galleries and museums. Notably, his art has recently become part of the collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
For the past 12 years, it has been his passion to share his love for art and public service, taking on roles as an instructor and, more recently, as the Intergenerational Community Arts Program Director at Bayview Services. He also dedicates a portion of his time to art education, collaborating with schools and Senior Centers in various locations, including San Francisco, South Africa, Italy, and Egypt. Rhodes is one of the co-founders of the 3.9 Art Collective, a Black art collective in San Francisco formed in 2011 in response to the declining Black population in the city.
Media Links:
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts: The Hunter's Point Shipyard Narrative Quilt Project
William Rhodes and Emory Douglas Intergenerational Quilt Program
Fillmore Knotted Quilt Project
William Rhodes: You Reap What You Sow
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts: The Hunter's Point Shipyard Narrative Quilt Project
William Rhodes and Emory Douglas Intergenerational Quilt Program
Fillmore Knotted Quilt Project
William Rhodes: You Reap What You Sow
, Just a few of Rhodes many projects and exhibitions
Selected Collections:
Gallery Representation
WILLIAM CORNELIUS RHODES, SR, Obituary:
WILLIAM CORNELIUS RHODES, SR., son of the late Cassius and Rebecca Rhodes, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 22, 1902, and went home to Jesus on March 20, 2006 at 1:45 p.m. His father died when he was 3 and his mother when he was 11. As a teenager, William participated in YMCA activities in his home town and became noted for his athletic proficiency. At age 15, he won the prestigious Thomas Taylor Award, an award outstanding for an Indianapolis teenager. As a teenager, William had an outstanding job, assistant to Madame C. J. Walker, in helping to promote her famous hair pomade. His work led him into meetings with Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois. His next occupation took him to New York City, where he became a Junior Boys secretary at the Harlem Branch YMCA at Lenox Avenue and 135th Street. At this occupation he met Marcus Garvey, boxer Joe Johnson and many other Black leaders. He became somewhat of an institution at this venue. He stayed in New York until he received a call to come to the Druid Hill YMCA in Baltimore, as a tumbling and gymnastics instructor. One person he taught and never forgot was the famous Cab Calloway, who learned gymnastics from Mr. Rhodes. We wonder if Cab learned to dance under Mike Rhodes.
From a previous marriage there was a daughter born, the late Melba Perkins and her husband Gilbert Perkins. In the early twenties, William played professional basketball (The Athenians) out of the New Albert gym on Pennsylvania Avenue. This arrangement enabled him to play ball at Wilberforce and Howard Universities, as well as around Baltimore for a very meager salary. Among his teammates were the late Powell Sheffey, Rap Wheatley and "Cutie" Brown.
In 1936, romance again entered the life of William. He married the former Martha Elizabeth Jordan and in 1938 their son, the late William C. Rhodes, Jr. was born. After this happy event, William worked part time at the YMCA and worked parties, catered affairs and waited tables at some of Baltimore's famous eating establishments, earning what was a good living for a Black man at that time. In addition to waiting tables, he worked as an assistant lab technician at Baltimore Goucher College. A true family man, he always worked hard to maintain a home for his wife, his son and stepdaughter, Gloria Lewis Jordan. His old friends called him "Mike", his family called him "Mr. Rhodes", "Cigar" or "Daddy Rhodes". He always enjoyed watching basketball on TV as well as other athletic events and looked forward to family dinners with his family, which was increased to a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law and later another daughter-in-law (Suzette) and step grandchildren (Jordan and Jack).
- Island Traditions, David Berg and William Rhodes, Sanger Gallery, Key West, FL, August 1-September 26, 2024
- Threaded Identities, Artists Residencies group show, Hunters Point Shipyard Galley May, 2024
- History and Genealogy of African Americans in San Francisco, Art, Action, Change: YBCA Creative Corps Initiative Event with William Rhodes and Tarika Lewis, Yerba Buena Art Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA August 22, 2024
- The Vitality Arts Exhibition, Intergenerational Arts Collaboration at the De Young Museum< San Francisco, CA April 2024
- Threads of Consciousness, Transmission Gallery, Oakland CA, June 1 - July 15, 2023
- Sanger Gallery, Key West, FL, William Rhodes, Heidi Theissen, Amanda Burnham ,and Kevin Assam featured April 7-28, 2022
- Key West's Bahama Village community quilts, Florida, Fall 2021
- Democracy 2020: Craft and the Election, Craft in America Center, LA, 9/26/2020 - 1/2/2021
- The Circuitry of Joyce J. Scott (Joyce Scott): A Group Exhibition of Collaboration and Innovation, Craft in America Center, LA, 2/24/2018 - 4/14/2018
Selected Collections:
- Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- San Francisco Arts Commission
Gallery Representation
- Transmission Gallery, Oakland, CA https://thetransmissiongallery.com/index.html
WILLIAM CORNELIUS RHODES, SR, Obituary:
WILLIAM CORNELIUS RHODES, SR., son of the late Cassius and Rebecca Rhodes, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 22, 1902, and went home to Jesus on March 20, 2006 at 1:45 p.m. His father died when he was 3 and his mother when he was 11. As a teenager, William participated in YMCA activities in his home town and became noted for his athletic proficiency. At age 15, he won the prestigious Thomas Taylor Award, an award outstanding for an Indianapolis teenager. As a teenager, William had an outstanding job, assistant to Madame C. J. Walker, in helping to promote her famous hair pomade. His work led him into meetings with Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois. His next occupation took him to New York City, where he became a Junior Boys secretary at the Harlem Branch YMCA at Lenox Avenue and 135th Street. At this occupation he met Marcus Garvey, boxer Joe Johnson and many other Black leaders. He became somewhat of an institution at this venue. He stayed in New York until he received a call to come to the Druid Hill YMCA in Baltimore, as a tumbling and gymnastics instructor. One person he taught and never forgot was the famous Cab Calloway, who learned gymnastics from Mr. Rhodes. We wonder if Cab learned to dance under Mike Rhodes.
From a previous marriage there was a daughter born, the late Melba Perkins and her husband Gilbert Perkins. In the early twenties, William played professional basketball (The Athenians) out of the New Albert gym on Pennsylvania Avenue. This arrangement enabled him to play ball at Wilberforce and Howard Universities, as well as around Baltimore for a very meager salary. Among his teammates were the late Powell Sheffey, Rap Wheatley and "Cutie" Brown.
In 1936, romance again entered the life of William. He married the former Martha Elizabeth Jordan and in 1938 their son, the late William C. Rhodes, Jr. was born. After this happy event, William worked part time at the YMCA and worked parties, catered affairs and waited tables at some of Baltimore's famous eating establishments, earning what was a good living for a Black man at that time. In addition to waiting tables, he worked as an assistant lab technician at Baltimore Goucher College. A true family man, he always worked hard to maintain a home for his wife, his son and stepdaughter, Gloria Lewis Jordan. His old friends called him "Mike", his family called him "Mr. Rhodes", "Cigar" or "Daddy Rhodes". He always enjoyed watching basketball on TV as well as other athletic events and looked forward to family dinners with his family, which was increased to a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law and later another daughter-in-law (Suzette) and step grandchildren (Jordan and Jack).
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TRANSMISSION GALLERY
OAKLAND 770 West Grand Ave., Suite A, Oakland, CA 94612 Open Thurs-Sat, 12 to 5 pm till 8 pm on the first Friday of the month and by appointment Accessibility: This a 2nd floor art gallery, accessible by stairs. |
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