"Innovator among innovators. Creative amongst creatives. A man of the people! Of dignity and dedication! A man who helped start a movement, then threw himself wholly at its preservation. Who's insight is almost as revelatory as his artistry. Who's sat at the very core of crypto art for a long time, and for good reason." - Museum of Crypto Art
Eric P. Rhodes is a visual artist based in New Jersey who explores a bespoke emotional vocabulary through technology, creating works that document and preserve fleeting moments.
Inspired by ephemera such as marginalia, mise-en-carte, and postcards, his practice reconciles the transient nature of human expression with the enduring permanence offered by blockchain technology. At the core of his work is the development of "primitives"—building blocks stored immutably on the blockchain that form the basis of his artistic framework.
Before dedicating himself to art, Eric built a distinguished career leading global service design programs at Google and Twitter. As founder of the award-winning studio Second Realm, he pioneered innovative digital art movements such as Altpunks and Trash Art, which redefined norms around digital ownership and remix culture.
Eric P. Rhodes is a visual artist based in New Jersey who explores a bespoke emotional vocabulary through the use of technology, creating works that document and preserve fleeting moments.
Inspired by ephemera such as marginalia, mise-en-carte, and postcards, his practice reconciles the transient nature of human expression with the enduring permanence offered by blockchain technology. His work explores the tension between the fleeting and the permanent, building a system that weaves emotion, memory, and impermanence into a cohesive framework.
At the core of his practice is the development of "primitives"—building blocks stored immutably on the blockchain that form the basis of his artistic framework. These elements document key attributes such as color, emotion, and form, enabling a verifiable lineage of artistic expression.
Guided by a foundational appreciation for the interconnectedness of disciplines, Eric’s creative process is rooted in design thinking, technological innovation, and interdisciplinary studies. This way of thinking—seeing connections across disciplines and translating them into structured systems—became the foundation of his approach to design, research, and problem-solving, leading him from web development and UX to service design and, more recently, network art.
Before dedicating himself to art, Eric built a distinguished career as a designer, leading global service design programs at companies like Google and Twitter. These experiences shaped his ability to think systemically, collaborate across disciplines, and design frameworks that balance creativity with structure.
As the founder of the award-winning studio Second Realm, he pioneered innovative digital art movements such as Altpunks and Trash Art, which redefined norms around digital ownership and remix culture.
His time leading global design programs at Google and Twitter, alongside his experience building Second Realm, wasn’t just about strategy and systems—it was about understanding how technology can serve as a tool for deeper connection, creative exploration, and emotional resonance.
In Eric’s view, technology isn’t merely functional—it’s a medium for authentic human expression.
"As we navigate this ever-changing landscape, let’s remember that at the heart of every technological advancement is the human spirit—curious, creative, and ever-evolving."Balancing Art, Technology, and Humanity
This philosophy continues to guide Eric as he navigates the intersection of emerging technologies and human connection.
Drawn to the complexities of being human in an increasingly digital world, Eric is pursuing a Master’s degree focused on the intersection of emerging technologies and the future of work.
His studies aren’t an academic detour but an extension of his practice—exploring how evolving systems can better support creative expression, preserve emotion, and foster cultural innovation.
At the heart of his journey is a deeply personal mission: to revisit and restore meaningful aspects of life with a renewed perspective. His art is not just about innovation—it’s about reclamation. It’s about owning his story, honoring his dreams, and building a life that feels undeniably authentic—on his terms, without compromise.