Press Releases Rodney H. King Joins Northwest Harvest’s #ArtistsForFoodJustice Series with a Bold Tribute to Black Culture and Political Resistance August 4, 2025 Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Email FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEATTLE, Wash. (August 4, 2025) — Northwest Harvest is honored to feature Puyallup-based visual artist Rodney H. King as the August contributor to its #ArtistsforFoodJustice series. King’s commissioned piece, debuting today, explores the theme Food is Political, offering a vibrant, emotionally charged reflection on how unjust systems—not individual choices—create hunger and hardship. King’s artwork features four individuals standing in solidarity beneath a bold American flag backdrop, with the words “FOOD IS POLITICAL” emblazoned across the canvas. The figures hold signs and bags referencing the People’s Free Food Program, a nod to community-led resistance and the legacy of mutual aid. Posters in the scene highlight free breakfast programs for children and critique the political nature of food access, including a stylized image of Uncle Sam. Through geometric composition and vivid color, King’s piece evokes both urgency and pride, reminding viewers that food justice is inseparable from racial justice, economic equity, and political will. “My work is a celebration of Black culture—its richness, resilience, and radiant beauty,” says King. “With every brushstroke, I honor the many hues of the African diaspora. This piece is about presence, pride, and the power of community to resist systems that were never built for us.” Rodney H. King is the founder of Kingspen LLC and a rising voice in the Pacific Northwest art scene. His work has been featured on KOMO, PBS, Converge Media, KING 5 Evening, and more. A devoted husband, father of three, and man of deep faith, King uses art as a tool for healing, storytelling, and cultural affirmation. Food is Political: Art as Resistance King’s piece arrives at a pivotal moment. In the wake of the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes the largest cuts to SNAP in U.S. history, millions of Americans are facing increased food insecurity. In Washington alone, nearly 130,000 people are projected to lose SNAP benefits entirely. These cuts, alongside rising food costs, reduced Medicaid access, and corporate lobbying, underscore the political nature of hunger. “Food shouldn’t be political—but it is,” says Natasha Dworkin, Director of Communications at Northwest Harvest. “Rodney’s work reminds us that culture, community, and resistance are deeply intertwined. His art helps us reframe hunger not as a personal failure, but as the result of policy choices and systemic inequities.” The August theme, Food is Political, explores how legislation, corporate influence, and economic policy shape who eats and who goes hungry. Through King’s lens, we are invited to see food not just as sustenance, but as a source of struggle, a root of memory, and a catalyst for collective power. About #ArtistsForFoodJustice #ArtistsForFoodJustice is a monthly collaboration between Northwest Harvest and twelve Washington-based artists from BIPOC and marginalized communities. Each artist interprets a theme from the organization’s yearlong campaign, The Meaning of Food, which explores food’s role in shaping identity, culture, and justice. By weaving together artistic expression and community voices, the series aims to shift public understanding of hunger from individual circumstance to systemic injustice—and to inspire collective action. About The Meaning of Food The Meaning of Food is a yearlong community conversation exploring twelve monthly themes—from Food is Justice (January) to Food is Joy (coming in December). Through storytelling, art, and community engagement, the campaign invites Washingtonians to reflect on the deeper role food plays in our lives and to reimagine a more equitable food future. “By sharing these stories, we illuminate the truth that ending hunger requires more than food,” says Leilani Williams, Chief Equity & People Officer at Northwest Harvest. Get Involved Community members can view Rodney H. King’s interpretation of Food is Political and share their own food stories at northwestharvest.org/meaning-of-food. King’s broader work can be explored at @_kingspen. About Rodney H. King Rodney H. King is a Puyallup-based visual artist and founder of Kingspen LLC. His work celebrates Black culture through bold, colorful imagery inspired by hip hop, jazz, and basketball. A father, husband, and man of faith, King uses art to uplift, heal, and tell stories that honor the past while inspiring the future. About Northwest Harvest Northwest Harvest is an anti-racist, anti-oppression organization committed to transforming an unjust food system into one that is more responsive and accountable to communities most impacted by discrimination. Beyond food distribution, the organization works to shift public opinion and impact institutional policies that perpetuate hunger and poverty in Washington state. Learn more at www.northwestharvest.org. ### Media Contact: Natasha Dworkin, Director of Communications, Northwest Harvest natashad@northwestharvest.org | 206-715-1696 High-resolution artwork and artist interviews available upon request. For general media information and resources, visit our Media Hub.
