Untitled (Large Bruise), 2022

Rashid Johnson is a highly influential contemporary artist known for his multidisciplinary approach, using materials that are deeply symbolic of African American identity and culture. His work often explores themes of race, identity, and social history, engaging with both personal and collective narratives. Johnson is recognized for his use of materials like shea butter, black soap, and other culturally resonant objects, which he incorporates into complex, layered compositions. His art blurs the boundaries between painting, sculpture, and installation, creating immersive experiences that provoke reflection on issues of memory, trauma, and healing within the Black experience. Johnson’s work often speaks to the tension between abstraction and representation, questioning how identity is constructed and perceived.

In his 2022 work, Untitled Large Bruise Print, Johnson uses silkscreen resist with hand-applied pigment to create a striking visual statement. Measuring 60 × 51 1/2 inches, this large-scale piece carries his signature abstract style, but with an evocative title that suggests themes of physical and emotional impact. The use of hand-applied pigment adds a personal, tactile dimension to the work, highlighting the vulnerability and rawness of the human experience. The title, Bruise, evokes the sense of damage or trauma, which resonates with Johnson’s larger exploration of Black identity and historical scars. As part of an edition of 51, the artwork invites viewers to engage with its layers of meaning, both visual and conceptual, making it a powerful example of Johnson’s ability to combine materiality with deep cultural commentary.