Rashid Johnson is a contemporary conceptual artist whose work employs a wide range of media to investigate themes of racial and cultural identity, materiality, and critical history. Johnson’s enthralling screenprint Broken Men (2019) belongs to a decades-long series of work that considers the deeply personal, yet inherently collective experiences of Black men in present-day America. Now through May 26, bid on Broken Men (2019) in our 21st Century Prints sale live now on Artnet Auctions.

Broken Men (2019) is Johnson’s largest print to date, measuring 55 x 42 inches, and combines screenprint with mylar collage. The collage replicates the artist’s mosaics of ceramic pieces, mirrored tiles, wood, and oyster shells utilized in his paintings, and the elements create a subject that dominates the work, confronting the viewer head-on. Investigating his experience as a Black man in contemporary society, Johnson chose to depict an ambiguous face through numerous independent parts, coming together as a cathartic response to a time characterized by mass incarceration and endless police violence. The present subject closely resembles another series “Broken Crowd,” which puts the same anxious-looking figure in a grid-like pattern.  

Johnson’s work consistently sells for more than its high estimate, signaling a growing demand.

Rashid Johnson has become exceedingly desirable to collect in recent years, and his popularity on the secondary market has skyrocketed. Artworks by Johnson have consistently outperformed their high estimates since 2016, signaling high demand and new records for the living artist. In fact, last week at Christie’s 21st Century Evening Sale, Anxious Red Painting December 18th set a new auction record for the artist selling for an all-in price of $1,950,000. 

With Johnson’s overall market creating significant buzz over the last few years, it is no surprise that his print market has also shown considerable growth. This is the third time that Broken Men (2019) has been offered at auction, with the last two achieving realized prices of $42,500 and $50,400. We are offering the present example at an estimate of $25,000-35,000, well below the last two realized prices, presenting a wonderful opportunity to acquire a significant work by Johnson at an attainable price.

Don’t miss the opportunity to add this bold and enrapturing print to your collection—bidding on Broken Men (2019) is live through May 26 in 21st Century Prints on Artnet Auctions.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the specialist for this work, Conner Williams, with any questions or concerns.

Head of Prints & Multiples

+1-212-497-9700 ext. 705

[email protected]