Rashid Johnson

”Rashid Johnson’s acclaimed Anxious Men series confronts the viewer with raw emotional intensity through layers of vibrant red oil stick on linen. Repeating distorted faces, marked by wide eyes and agitated lines channel themes of collective anxiety, identity, and the psychological weight of contemporary life—particularly as experienced by Black men in America.

Unlike the muted tones of earlier works in the series, the use of red amplifies urgency and vitality, evoking both alarm and resilience. With each face both unique and universal, Johnson transforms personal distress into a bold visual language that speaks to broader cultural unrest, inviting reflection on the shared experience of inner turbulence.

”Anxiety is a part of my life. It’s something that people of color don’t really discuss as often as we should. It’s part of my being and how I relate to the world and being honest with that struggle has been rewarding for me. It has led to the kind of self exploration that produces fertile ground from my output as an artist.

Rashid Johnson