Rodney Alan Greenblat is an American artist, graphic designer and children's book author. He was previously director of the Center for Advanced Whimsy,[2] is responsible for the character design of several video games, including the PaRappa the Rapper series,[3] and was an active figure in the East Village art scene of the 1980s.[4]
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Greenblat's work was shown in East Village museums in the 1980s,[5] including the Gracie Mansion Gallery,[6][7] and was at the time considered part of a neo-surrealist movement.[8] Within the same decade, he did the artwork for New York-based alternative rock band They Might be Giants' first album.[9][10]
In the 2010s, he has been recognized for his work on Parappa the Rapper and Um Jammer Lammy, as well as the Thunder Bunny series of books.[11]
In 2017, he opened The Rodney Shop, a retail outlet and gallery in Catskill, New York.[12] The location closed in 2020.[13]
- Rodney's Funscreen (Published by Activision, 1992, PC/Mac)
- Rodney's Wonder Window (Published by Voyager, 1992, PC/Mac)
- Dazzleoids (Published by Voyager, 1994, PC/Mac)
- PaRappa the Rapper (Published by Sony, 1996, PS1)
- Rodney's Funscreen 2 extreme (Published by Interlink, 1997, PC/Mac)
- Rodney's Artbrain (Published by Interlink, 1997, PC/Mac)
- Um Jammer Lammy (Published by Sony, 1999, PS1)
- PaRappa the Rapper 2 (Published by Sony, 2001, PS2)
- Major Minor's Majestic March (Published by Majesco Entertainment, 2009, Wii)
1982
1983
- Gracie Mansion Gallery, New York, New York[1]
1984
- Time of Love. Galerie Anna Friebe, Cologne, Germany[1]
1985
1986
- House of Progress. Gracie Mansion Gallery, New York, New York
- The Tricentennial Room. Karl Bornstein Gallery, Los Angeles, California
1987
- Reality and Imagination; Two Taste Treats in One! Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Reality and Imagination; Two Taste Treats in One! Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston, Texas
- The Scenic Route. Gracie Mansion Gallery, New York, New York
1988
1989
- John Berggruen Gallery, San Francisco, California
1990
- Cosmic Adhesive. Gracie Mansion Gallery, New York, New York
1991
- The Center for Advanced Whimsy. Carpenter Arts Center, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
1992
- Land Ho! The Mythic World of Rodney A. Greenblat. Museum of Art, Roanoke, Virginia
- Land Ho! The Mythic World of Rodney A. Greenblat. Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, Virginia
1993
- Technoweenie. PPOW, New York, New York
- Land Ho! The Mythic World of Rodney A. Greenblat. World Financial Center, New York, New York
1995
- Rodney Time. Creation Gallery G8, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
1996
- Rodney's Late Breakfast at Milk. Milk, Ebisu, Tokyo, Japan
1997
- Rodney Adventure. Discovery Museum, Bridgeport, Connecticut
1998
- New Studio Rodney. Parco Department Store, Japan[14]
1999
- Rodney’s Art in a Box. Sony Plaza, Tokyo and Osaka, Japan[14]
2000
- Rodney’s Character Club and Post Office Parco Department Store, Tokyo and Osaka, Japan[14]
- Cafe Rodney. Tokyo, Japan[14]
2001
- Canworld Expo. Takeshimaya Department Store, Osaka, Japan[14]
2005
- Modern Day. BCB Gallery, Hudson, New York[14]
2006
- Downtown – The New York Art Scene 1974-1984. Grey Art Gallery NYU, New York, New York
- Universe. Centella Gallery, Tucson, Arizona
2007
- Elemental. Art Print Japan Galleries, Tokyo, Japan
2008
- Free Wheel. BCB Gallery, Hudson, New York
2010
- Thunder Bunny Buddha Shrine. BCB Gallery, Hudson, New York[15]
2012
- Karma-con. The Rubin Museum, New York, New York
2013
- Gala Veinte!. Hudson Opera House, Hudson, New York[16]
- The Wonder Verified and Fulfilled. BCB Gallery, Hudson NY
2015
- Vibrant Space. BCB Gallery, Hudson, New York
They Might Be Giants (Album notes). They Might Be Giants. Bar/None Records. 1986.
Waldron, Diana (August 22, 2018). "The Rodney Shop". Visit Vortex. High Falls, New York.