Meet Rod Lathim
Nashville Voyager / September 15, 2023
Today we’d like to introduce you to Rod Lathim.
Hi Rod, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Santa Barbara, California in a family that lovingly supported my creative endeavors and entrepreneurial passions. Music and the arts were always key elements and I realized at an early age that art had powerful healing powers. I sang, played multiple instruments and was bitten by the theatre bug in 6th grade. I left college after two years at The University of Kansas, studying music therapy, and returned home to found Access Theatre – the nation’s first fully accessible theatre, integrating people living with disabilities, people who were deaf and who were visually impaired with able-bodied folks.
I witnessed over and over how communication, telling one’s own story and having the platform to create and interact with audiences not only empowered our artists but also enlightened our audiences in a very positive way. We toured original shows all across the nation including our original production, STORM READING which toured internationally. There is power in being able to live one’s authentic life.
Now at the age of 65, looking back I can see that the journey I continue to travel is one of love and gratitude, and sharing light in the world. As a visual artist, I created assemblage works with vintage objects for about 18 years and had many successful gallery shows. Then my visual art process evolved and I began the work I am doing now – sculpting with light. I create neon sculptures built upon vintage objects and musical instruments. Currently I have a solo show at Galerie Tangerine in Gulch adjacent South Street in Nashville.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Looking back, my mind only focuses on the positive experiences, but there were many, many obstacles and challenges. Leaving college without a degree, I was strongly criticized. Starting an accessible theatre company in 1979, people thought I was nuts and believed it would never work. The first three years were very rough – no funding and constantly battling attitudinal barriers. But the work spoke for itself. It was authentic, mind-opening and was eventually enthusiastically and critically embraced.
As a visual artist I was told at an early age that I had no talent as an artist and I believed it. Thus I pursued music and the performing arts where I thrived. When my beloved Yellow Lab Emily died, I asked an artist friend to create an assemblage in her honor. She told me I should make the piece myself. I was dumbfounded! I am not an artist, you are the artist and I am commissioning you to create this piece! She stuck to her guns and guided me through the process. I credit her for opening up the work of visual art to me. When I evolved into doing neon sculpture, I had to learn from the ground up about this fascinating art form. I am still learning after many failed attempts and lots of broken glass.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My artistic path and my spiritual life have always been entwined. I feel blessed to be guided by The Universe, my ancestors and guides with abundant love and inspiration. Whether I am writing, directing, producing or creating visual art, first I “see” the outcome – the final product. These images are “downloaded” to me from my muses – from spirit. The evolution of my artistic endeavors has reached a zenith with sculpting with neon light.
For me, the light created by combusting gas in a glass tube with electricity is more than just light and color. It is energy. I believe that everything at its core is energy and light. So sculpting with light and energy is for me, the ultimate medium.
Neon has been around since the days of Tesla and Edison. It is mostly known for signage that can still be found in larger cities, particularly Nashville, but it is a dying art, thanks to LED. I am a purist. I only work with old school neon. I don’t make signs – rather I harness the extraordinary elements of light and create three dimensional works that reflect the energy of the objects on which I build the works.
One of my greatest joys is repeatedly hearing from people that they have never seen anything like my work. I believe my work is very unique. There is a synergy of movement and compatible energy between the objects I use and the light. In the case of musical instruments, I strive to illustrate both the history of the instrument and the music it played with the movement of sound and music.
Some of my works utilize beaded neon, which requires Krypton gas and a special beading transformer. This combination creates a kinetic, flowing effect of little translucent beads of light travel through the sculpted glass. It is a rarely seen application, that lends itself to bringing light to music – which is the title of my show at Galerie Tangerine. Beaded neon is mesmerizing, and some would say hypnotic.
I believe that art heals and can save lives. I have seen it transform people throughout my life. Surrounding ourselves with art definitely has a strong impact on our lives. One of the painters I collaborate with – Chris Gocong – found great healing energy in dealing with post traumatic brain injuries he had from seven years as an NFL football player. He is a wonderful, self-taught artist who has found Zen and peace through art.
I love that people connect to my work, and are able to be pulled into the three dimensional images I create. I believe that we all connect to the concept of celebrating light and energy.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I believe that my own light that shines from who I am is an integral part of my success. Focusing my energy into sculptures of light feels like a perfect fit for me and gives me great joy. I believe people see that in my work. I always like to visit with people when they attend my gallery showings. I love learning from others and sharing perspectives on art and learning how they interpret my work. This interaction is as important to me as the creative process. I also live a life of gratitude and constantly thank and acknowledge all the inspiration I receive from my “posse” – my ancestors, family and guides from the other side.
Contact Information:
Website: http://www.rodlathim.com/
Instagram: @galerietangerine
