RAD1 at Shutter And Strum’s Disruptor Galley – Colorado Springs, CO • May 2025
RAD1 at Shutter And Strum’s Disruptor Galley – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Location: 2217 E Platte Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Dates: April 2nd through May 30th, 2025
Show Title: From the Wheels to the Wall: A RAD1 Narrative
This is my second show in recent years (Kings Arrive ATL 2024) and my first “indoor” solo show since the early 1980s! Since moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2021, I have made a few connections to the local art scene, and Brian Tryon of Shutter And Strum’s Disruptor Galley has been my go-to dude for all things Hip Hop, punk, skate, BMX, photography, and anything else on my interest list! I submitted 42 pieces for this show, including photo-reprints of some of my early work and new originals from 2024 – 2025. Most of the work is aerosol on canvas, which has been my major creative freedom medium. These works are shown below:
01] Butterfly • 1990 – 2024 Photo Reproduction
Photo reprint of acrylic aerosol on canvas 18” x 24”
This is the first-ever reprint and only reprint for 2024/2025.
The original is in the Wills Estate Permanent Collection.
02] Asteroids • 1994 – 2024 Photo Reproduction
Photo reprint of acrylic aerosol & paint marker on canvas 18” x 24”
This is the first-ever reprint and only reprint for 2024/2025.
The original is in the Wills Estate Permanent Collection.
03] PhaseII’Delta’RAD1 Field Of Influence • 1993 – 2024 Photo Reproduction
Metallic Glossy Photo reprint of acrylic aerosol on canvas 11.5” x 23.75”
This is the first-ever reprint and only reprint for 2024/2025.
The original 14.5 x 39.75 is in the Wills Estate Permanent Collection.
04] THE UNITED KINGS – Atlanta’s First Hip Hop Graffiti Crew
This is the poster from The United Kings first-ever gallery show curated by Antar Fierce.
The five United Kings members exhibited past and current art at the EyeDrum Gallery, directed by Will Lawless (Show Dates: November 10th to December 7th, 2024).
18″ x 24″, printed on heavy card stock and limited to a 50-piece edition.
Poster available while supplies last – HERE.
05] R1 Urban Camo • October 19th., 2024 Original Art
Acrylic aerosol on canvas 30” x 40″
Read about my intrigue with camouflage
06] Futura X Meme Project / R1Camo-Loops • October 20th., 2024 “Original Art”
Acrylic aerosol on canvas 30” x 40”
Read about my intrigue with camouflage
07 – 19] R1 In Tha’ House No.1 – No.12 • October 13th., 2024
Acrylic aerosol & marker on canvas
Painted on twelve 8” x 10” individual canvases
20] Critical Letter Construction • October 13th., 2024 “Original Art”
Acrylic aerosol on canvas with/ Posca marker 8” x 8” Framed
Read more about “Critical Letter Construction”
21- 23] R1 Urban Camo Test No.1 Kudzu – Test No.2 Reverse Bright – Test No.3 DayGlo Tokyo
Acrylic aerosol on canvas 11” x 14” (Each Canvas)
October 19th, 2024 SIGNED ON THE BACK
Link to purchase this set
24 – 26] R1Loops – Exp.01 Blue Daggers / Exp.02 Alva’Aqua / Exp.03 Pink vs Purple
Acrylic aerosol on canvas 11” x 14” (Each Canvas)
Completed on October 20th, 2024
Link to purchase
27] SMEAR • April 01, 2024 “Original Art”
Acrylic aerosol & pencil on canvas 16” x 20”
Read more about “SMEAR”
28] Swipe of Gray Matter
April 01, 2024 “Original Art”
Acrylic aerosol & pencil on canvas 20” x 16”
Read more about “Swipe of Gray Matter”
29] SilverR1 • 1994 “Original Art”
Vintage Krylon Jungle Green acrylic aerosol & marker on canvas 12” x 16″
$NFS – Wills Estate Permanent Collection
30] Surface & Subculture 1985
Photocopied assembly and hand-drawn collage
Read more about “Surface & Subculture”
$NFS – Wills Estate Permanent Collection
31] Terrestrial Time Traveler • 04/19/2025
Acrylic aerosol on two canvases 18” x 48”
32] 20HZ Infrasound • June 2021
Acrylic aerosol on canvas 12” x 12”
33] R-Insinuated • June 2021
Acrylic aerosol, permanent marker, and pencil on canvas 12” x 12”
34] Guacamole-Loops • 04/19/2025
Acrylic aerosol on canvas 12” x 12”
35] Past Due Grape-Loops • 04/19/2025
Acrylic aerosol on canvas 12” x 12”
36] YELL-O LOOPS • 04/19/2025
Acrylic aerosol on canvas 11” x 14”
37] Sub-fluence • 1985
Photocopied assembly and hand-drawn
$NFS – Wills Estate Permanent Collection
38] Double Time Atlanta 1985
9-¾” x 12-¾ Photographed by Rodney Wills
39] RAD in Atlanta 1985
4” x 6.5” Photographed by Rodney Wills
40] RAD ART CARD #1 OF 16 of the Ode’ To Jungle Green. Series
$NFS – Wills Estate Permanent Collection
Read about the Ode’ To Jungle Green Series
41] Old School and Overlap 228’s • 2023
Marker on 228 Postage Label
Read more on RAD1 228’s.
42] R-Flav’ & Crumble-Stack 228’s • 2024
Marker on 228 Postage Label
Read more on RAD1 228’s.
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ABOUT Rodney “RAD1” Wills
Born in Columbus, Georgia, in 1966, Rodney Wills spent his formative years in rural Alabama, a backdrop of flat-track motorcycles and homemade BMX ramps contrasting sharply with the burgeoning urban cultures that would later define his artistic path. The arrival of a skateboard and Skateboarder magazine in 1977 ignited a creative spark, placing him ahead of the curve in his rural surroundings. By 1980, Hip Hop’s arrival introduced him to breakdancing and DJing, though the visual element of graffiti remained a distant concept.
Wills pursued his artistic inclinations at the Atlanta College of Arts before earning his bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the California College of Arts. For a decade, his graphic design skills found expression in the snow, skate, and surf industries, notably with O’Neill wetsuits.
A pivotal moment arrived in 1984 when Wills was adopted into the seminal Atlanta Hip Hop graffiti crew, The United Kings. As the sole non-blood member, known then as “2RAD” and later as “RAD1” after moving to the Bay Area and joining the KTD crew in 1986, Wills became part of a legendary group known for their early and influential contributions to Atlanta’s Hip-Hop movement. This exhibition offers a glimpse into an artist’s formative years deeply embedded in both subculture and the burgeoning world of street art.
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ABOUT Shutter And Strum’s Disruptor Galley
At Shutter and Strum, we envision a world where every individual, regardless of background or circumstance, can explore their creativity, express themselves, and find healing through the transformative power of the arts. We are committed to providing accessible workshops and experiential learning opportunities in film/darkroom photography, art gallery curation, songwriting, music performance, and integrating music with core subjects, fostering a space for youth to cultivate mindfulness and pursue their artistic passions. Our vision is to inspire and empower at-risk/underserved youth in Colorado Springs, offering them authentic mentorship and creative pathways to overcome difficulties and generational trauma, ultimately fostering personal recovery in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
We are deeply committed to incorporating the vibrant and diverse cultural fabric of Colorado Springs into our vision. With its thriving art and music scene, Colorado Springs is home to a talented community whose creative expressions enrich the local culture. Our mission is to collaborate closely with local artists, musicians, and cultural organizations to establish a supportive network that nurtures the artistic aspirations of young people. Through partnerships with organizations like the Pikes Peak Arts Council and music venues such as What’s Left Records, we strive to offer our participants exposure to a wide range of artistic experiences and mentorship opportunities.
Moreover, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our generous donors, whose contributions play a crucial role in helping us fulfill our mission. Their support for our fundraising campaigns gives us the necessary resources to create an environment where young talents can thrive. We sincerely appreciate their belief in our vision. We are fully committed to honoring their dedication by ensuring that every donation directly translates into meaningful opportunities for all individuals we aim to serve. https://www.shutterandstrum.org/