The Modern Art Museum Presents Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers

This spring, The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth will present Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers. This is the artist’s largest exhibition to date and his first major museum survey in more than a decade. Johnson’s diverse array of media includes painting, sculpture, film, and installation — all of which are included in this exhibition.

“We are excited to welcome visitors to Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers,” says Halona Norton-Westbrook, the Director of The Modern.

“This presentation, a rich collaboration between the artist and the exhibition curators, visually brings to life Johnson’s path to self-discovery from a young age and his deep personal and cultural reflections over the last thirty years. We are honored to partner with the Guggenheim New York in presenting this extraordinary exhibition.”

The exhibit is currently on view through January at the Guggenheim.

Three Decades of Multidisciplinary Artmaking

Rashid Johnson has expressed his art in many ways over the past three decades. His work draws “upon art history, philosophy, literature, and music as conceptual frameworks,” The Modern says. Central themes and questions “reflect on his story and contemporary life in general, such as race, masculinity, empathy for others, self-care, family, sobriety, and his own, and each of our inner emotional lives.” 

The exhibition’s title, A Poem for Deep Thinkers, they say, takes its name from a poem by Amiri Baraka. A frequent source of inspiration for Johnson, Baraka, who was an American poet, writer, teacher, and political activist. He was a leader in the Black Arts Movement. The poem encouraged intellectuals not to lose sight of “the real world” and to use their gifts and talents to make the world better.

The exhibit, which will be on view from March 8 through September 27, 2026, “brings together nearly ninety works spanning pivotal phases of the artist’s career.” Highlights include a site-specific installation, an outdoor sculpture, and two works activated through live performance.

A Poem for Deep Thinkers traces Johnson’s trajectory from his early experiments in photography and video to his recent materially complex paintings and assemblages.

A Poem for Deep Thinkers is cocurated by Naomi Beckwith, deputy director and Jennifer and David Stockman, chief curator of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, New York, and Andrea Karnes, chief curator of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Texas, with additional support from Faith Hunter, curatorial assistant, at the Guggenheim New York.

Rashid Johnson — In Fort Worth To Open the Exhibition

The artist will be in conversation with Chief Curator Andrea Karnes on March 6 at 6 pm. Then, The Modern plans to activate this rare exhibition, bringing it to life.

In addition to the artist’s talk, A Poem for Deep Thinkers will feature dynamic live performance programming in collaboration with community partners. The performance programs will include readings and literary connections, comedy, poetry, theater, music, and open mics. They want to foster a place for creative expressions and audience participation.

“Rashid Johnson is a singular creative force whose work bridges art history with Black contemporary culture and culture at large, creating powerful spaces for reflection and dialogue,” says Andrea Karnes, the exhibition’s cocurator and chief curator at The Modern.

“It has been a profound honor to work closely with Rashid, Naomi Beckwith, and the Guggenheim to bring this important exhibition to our community in Fort Worth.”

Along with so many fabulous opportunities in Fort Worth, Rashid Johnson should be on your calendar next spring.