Born in Newcastle, California, Jason Rhoades studied at the California College of Arts and Crafts, the San Francisco Art Institute, and the University of California, Los Angeles. He gained significant recognition in the 1990s for his complex, room-filling installations that challenged traditional notions of artistic taste and structure.

His practice was characterized by the use of industrial building materials, consumer goods, and neon lights to create immersive, often overwhelming environments. These works frequently drew inspiration from the aesthetics of the American West, including automotive culture and rural life, assembled with a distinct blend of conceptual rigor and humor.

Rhoades maintained a prolific career, particularly in Europe, where he exhibited extensively throughout the final decade of his life. His legacy continues to be represented in major institutional and private collections, including recent inclusions in curated hospitality projects such as the Chesa Marchetta in Switzerland.