I'm an artist that is drawn to create a variety of graphic compositions and abstract designs using mixed-medias. As a child, I was fascinated by the wild and furious color schemes of the kaleidoscope—the way it displayed a multiplex of vibrant colors and shapes. I was also a fan of scratch art, there was always a twist and turn before the big reveal. One of my favorite colors is black. It represents strength and resilience and this represents me. I use it in my paintings to form bold silhouettes expressing the richness of Black women. These shapes catch the eye, while surrounded by an array of vibrancy and color.
I typically use acrylics along with a multitude of decorative and textural paper. I like to work with paper and their unique designs because of how the resulting shapes I form with them depict life—its various facets, twists, and colors. These are the aspects that shape the world around us. Never a dull moment and never one-size fits all. I often reflect on the days of my youth when scratch art was my happy place, when black had to be etched away to reveal all the beauty and color that was hidden underneath. Now I make creations where they boldly stand side-by-side.
Jennifer Rhodes was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She currently resides at the State Correctional Institution in Cambridge Springs, PA. This marks her 35th year. For the past 11 years, she has worked as a braille transcriber for the Library of Congress. Additionally she has an ABO certification in opticianry, is a PBC recovery specialist, has an Associates Degree in Business Management and Accounting, and is a certified Labaugh literacy specialist. Currently she works as a DOC peer mentor.
She has been honored to create various paintings for Christian churches, including prison ministries for the United Methodist Church of Asbury in Erie, PA. She completed five pieces for The Abolitionist Law Clinic in Philadelphia, PA, which are displayed in their offices. She donated several paintings to the "Let's Get Free" organization in Pittsburgh, PA, to assist with their fundraising efforts advocating against LWOP (Life Without Parole) sentences in Pennsylvania and for the rights of women and transgender incarcerated people within the penal system.
In the fall of 2024 she participated in the art exhibition Tapestry of Incarcerated Lives at Morton Contemporary, in Philadelphia, PA. created by Deborah Morton. The exhibition aimed to share the stories of incarcerated individuals like Rhodes.
Jennifer Rhodes (#0A8479)
SCI Cambridge Springs
P.O.Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733
Pennsylvania | SCI Cambridge Springs
