Ghetto Gods

An exhibit by Jabari Reed aka Iboms

The Studio@620 presents an exhibit and installation of artwork by local artist Jabari Reed-Diop, aka iBOMS. An artist talk will be held on Monday Sept. 18, 2023 at 7 PM. Gallery hours available by appointment.

As a Professional Artist Grant recipient, this exhibit from Jabari Reed is produced with the support of Creative Pinellas, Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater, and the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners.

The artist has prepared a comprehensive document showing artwork that will be included in the exhibit as well as some of the insights behind the work. You can download About Ghetto Gods by Jabari Reed and learn more about this exhibit.

About the artist

Jabari Jahi Babatu Reed-Diop, otherwise known as i.B.O.M.S. (illegal. Beauty. On.My.Streets) is based in St. Petersburg, Florida. His artistic acumen comes from personal experience and formal education at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville and Gibbs high PCCA magnet program here in St. Petersburg. Despite constantly pushing his craft and experimenting with new mediums, iBOMS’ style is immediately recognizable.

At first glance, his work may seem like simple illustrations or even graffiti, but each piece has a story to tell, a deeper message about omens, a powerful statement about love, destruction, or discovery. His characters are complex and often represent aspects of his psyche as a young black male. By transmuting emotional and physical states of being, He mirrors the relationships between spirit and god.