Galleria welcomes Damion W. Rhodes, two others artists
Damion W. Rhodes’ artistry developed at a young age — and much to his family’s chagrin, on the walls. He chose not to pursue art after he got caught sneaking off with his sister’s oil sticks.
However, three years ago, Rhodes found himself sitting on his couch watching a video of a man sketching with charcoal.
“That’s neat,” he thought.
After following along, he compared his sketch to the one in the video and discovered that they were nearly identical. Something in him sparked and his passion for art was reignited in a way that couldn’t be extinguished.
The Galleria of Art & Photography at 7720 N. Wickham Road, Suite 107, will have an exhibit of Rhodes’ art beginning Sept. 19.
Many of Rhodes’ paintings feature historical elements and deep symbolism.
The native of Los Angeles has a personal connection to his painting of a Sioux elder, titled “The Elder.” Rhodes’ mother was Sioux.
“I wanted to do that because it reminds me of my mom,” he said. “She was always calm, no matter what was going on. She always had an ace up her sleeve.”
He describes art as his form of communication.
“When I’m in this manic state of artistic creativity, it’s not really about needing to create something. It’s that the stuff I can’t say to people in person, I could say in an image. It’s the most ultimate form of nonviolent protest.”
The Galleria of Art & Photography is holding a Meet and Greet Sept. 19 with Rhodes and two other artists, Mitch Gubnitsky and Peggy Phenicie.
The Galleria will be open to collectors and curators from 5 to 7 p.m. and to the general public from 7 to 10 p.m.
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