" I’d begun to collect things that were lying in piles on the floor of my studio. I had run out of space, and I started to build shelves. I turned around one day and realized that that was the vehicle for carrying so many of the things that I was looking at and talking about, so they went from the walls to the works. "
- Rashid Johnson

In the given statement, Rashid Johnson describes his experience of creating more storage space by building shelves in his studio as he ran out of wall space for displaying items. This process transformed how he interacted with and organized various objects that held significance to him.

Beyond its literal interpretation, this quote delves into themes of creative expression and the relationship between art and physical surroundings. Johnson's act of collecting and categorizing objects becomes a reflection on his artistic journey and the ways in which these items contribute to his work and thought process. By moving from wall decorations to shelved collections, he shifts from passive display to an active engagement with the objects, imbuing them with new layers of meaning within the context of his studio space.

Rashid Johnson is a contemporary American artist known for his multidisciplinary practice that spans painting, sculpture, and installation art. His work often explores themes related to African-American identity, cultural critique, and personal history. Through his unique approach to collecting and arranging objects in his studio, Johnson offers insights into the creative process and how artists integrate their surroundings with their artistic expressions.