BronxArtSpace would like to give a warm welcome to our new gallery manager Rhys Shepherd!
Rhys is a Bronx native who graduated from Oberlin College in 2025 with majors in studio art and materials physics. He is currently working as a public programs educator at our neighboring Hunts Point non-profit Rocking the Boat. He is passionate about sharing the joy of creating and art’s ability to support inclusive culture and build solidarity in communities. Outside of this he maintains an oil painting, printmaking, and sculptural practice.
@rhys232
Live, Worship, Shop
2025
Stop motion animation made with Silkscreen and Risograph printed frames
Animated rendition of some of my pages from a collaborative risograph printed book I worked on earlier this year called “The Bible of Facebook Marketplace”
Pond Scum, 2024
Oil on canvas
45”x34”
A bigger version of Prospect Park’s glorious, slimy green dog puddle. I wandered into this quiet little spot in the park and was captivated by the depth and layers—swirls of algae, sludge, and muck—and the complexity of that surface. It was mesmerizing to look at and sit beside, but probably a little nasty to step in.
Including myself in the scene felt like a sort of sweaty, soupy Narcissus moment—but really, I was just looking at the clouds between the duckweed.
The decision to include myself came from conflicted feelings about making just a pretty image. If I have to get on a soapbox, I’ll say this: I hope the intuitive “look but don’t touch” dynamic of this scene can highlight the precariousness of indulging in natural beauty—and the potential for destruction, despite good intentions.
Something else I’ve been thinking about is finding value in the “abject.” If this were on a golf course, they’d probably dye it blue—and I think that’s far grosser than this stagnant state.
Fear is a man’s best friend! 2024
Oil on panel, pine shadow boxes
Each 3”x4”
This series started off as little side projects, things to do with extra paint at the end of a session or loosen up and take a break from slower and tighter work. They were a chance to experiment and indulge in the colors and textures that I was fussing with in other works.
This photo is from their installation in the fall semester halftime exhibition.
Saw these yippy little guys walking back from a lovely afternoon eating chili and peeling sticks at the @morganpaper ‘s yearly Kozo harvest.
Thought these (scared? angry? excited?) fellers made a nice little bookend to this group of paintings.
Untitled, 2024
One of an ongoing series called, Fear is a man’s best friend!
Oil on panel, pine shadow box
3”x4”
Cosmic Crisp, 2024
One of an ongoing series called, Fear is a man’s best friend!
Oil on panel, pine shadow box
3”x4”
Nothing like a nice juicy ✨cosmic crisp✨apple late at night
