Rashid Johnson

Sample Solution

    Rashid Johnson is an American contemporary artist who works in a variety of media including painting, photography, sculpture and installation. His practice explores themes of identity, race and history, while often incorporating elements of humor and wit.  

His work has been featured in international solo exhibitions at institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the High Museum of Art Atlanta, among many others. Rashid Johnson's art speaks to his lived experience as an African-American man living in America today. By drawing on his own personal experiences with issues surrounding race, he intertwines these themes with elements from the visual culture around him. He uses found objects—elements from popular culture—to create powerful images that address topics like racism and inequality. For instance, in one piece titled "The New Negro Escapist Social and Athletic Club," which was first exhibited at Jack Shainman Gallery in 2008, Johnson created a space using vintage photographs he had collected over the years that reflected different aspects of black life during various eras. The framed images were then hung together to form a kind of “clubhouse” where viewers could come together to reflect on their shared histories as African-Americans. Johnson also employs abstraction in order to explore complex ideas about identity formation within American society. In many pieces works such as “B/W/Subjective” (2005), he uses minimalist abstract forms combined with references to popular culture symbols like Michael Jordan silhouettes or Nike sneakers symbols associated with cultural capital . By deploying simpler geometric shapes painted directly onto walls or scrim curtains alongside recognizable logos or figures from pop culture, Rashid Johnson creates dynamic compositions that call into question our assumptions about color schemes often used for signifying race; here abstraction is used not only for its aesthetic value but also for its potential meaning-making capabilities when paired with other element drawn from popular visual cultures.. In addition to this type of work which operates more through deconstruction than through mimesis , Johnson also employs mimesis techniques by creating representational portraits using items such as carpet tiles arranged into recognizable facial features that suggest a wider range of ideas including notions around celebrity worship and male gaze surveillance societies have placed upon traditionally marginalized groups based off perceived value metrics centuries ago.. Through these works we can begin to understand how identities are formed both socially — through surveillance societies place upon us —and personally —through our own understanding what it means be part us any given culture community.. Furthermore , Rashid Johnson heavily utilizes concepts related abjection , by frequently working mediums like wax soap ashes sawdust all materials considered profane repulsive . These substances are often used counter traditional aesthetics beauty signify something meaningful about existence human condition . By further playing these notions transformative powers art subverts idea classical perfection reinterprets dark times light way ultimately allowing audience feel less alone confronting difficult truths everyday life.. Finally aura remains central focus many pieces well takes form theatrical set designs objects installations which contain combination photographic painting sculptural assemblage . Here viewer enters alternate reality confronts larger implications behind state being much same tradition classic romanticism yet updated modern perspective .. In conclusion , Rashid Johnsons multifaceted artistic practice draws attention conversations surrounding identity construction racial politics while employing various strategic approaches combine semiotic content relevant concepts learned class provide thought provoking commentary time lived present day society ... Image 1: Source: https://www.jackshainman.com/exhibition/2342/view/#astrid-labadie-walker Image 2:Source: https://www.artsysharkE011DBFDC60C44047F7925AD2786642FED09DE797D4ECBD61FFA185AE586FB940D2532DAFD1EC663188A2BC673121165A30EDBE48BF212FE580B154178CB99 com/2020/06/26/artist-spotlight-rashidjohnson Image 3: Source: https://flauntE011DBFDC60C44047