Former inmate shares his art, and story, at gallery show

DOBBS FERRY — The Donald Gallery at South Presbyterian Church is currently featuring the vibrant mixed media art of Hector “Bori” Rodriguez, whose work is inspired by nature, feminism, and the 27 years and two months he spent in prison. Three years after his release in February 2023, the 52-year-old, who lives in White Plains, is pursuing a master’s degree and continuing the art career he began behind bars. 

Titled “Discard, Reclaim, Nurture by You,” the exhibit features mostly pieces he completed within the past year, plus a few he painted while incarcerated. Many of his paintings were made on recycled materials, like wood.

“You could walk by a pallet of wood and think nothing of it, but if I add color and meaning to it, then you’re going to give it another look,” Rodriguez told the Dispatch. “And I feel like that’s what people did for me; they gave me color and gave me meaning.”