Rashid Johnson (b. 1977, Chicago, IL) is a multidisciplinary American artist celebrated for his conceptual and abstract works that explore themes of African American identity, history, and collective anxiety. Initially trained as a photographer, Johnson quickly expanded his practice to include painting, sculpture, video, and installation, often using culturally loaded materials like shea butter, black soap, ceramic tiles, and books to create layered narratives. His work is influenced by literary figures such as Ralph Ellison and Zora Neale Hurston and artists like Norman Lewis and Sam Gilliam. Johnson first gained recognition in the landmark Freestyle exhibition at the Studio Museum in Harlem in 2001 and has since exhibited globally at institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum, MoMA, and the National Gallery of Canada. Known for series like Anxious Men and Bruise Paintings, Johnson continues to challenge perceptions of race and identity while pushing the boundaries of abstraction. He lives and works in Brooklyn, NY