Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers

This lecture explores the artistic vision of Rashid Johnson, whose work spans painting, sculpture, installation, and film to create powerful narratives around race, identity, and belonging. Drawing on personal history and collective cultural memory, Johnson employs symbolic materials such as shea butter, black soap, and ceramic tile to craft deeply layered, emotionally resonant works. His practice merges abstraction with potent social commentary, inviting viewers into a dialogue that is both intimate and expansive. The discussion will be framed in dialogue with his current exhibition at the Guggenheim, A Poem for Deep Thinkers, which presents a new body of work exploring memory, language, and the search for meaning in turbulent times. Special attention will be given to Johnson’s ability to infuse formal innovation with poetic and political weight, challenging viewers to reconsider the intersections of personal narrative and shared history. This lecture aims to trace the symbolic and conceptual threads that weave through Johnson’s career, illuminating how his work continues to shape and expand the discourse of contemporary art.