Rashid Johnson chosen as Aspen Snowmass 2022-23 lift ticket artist

Aspen Snowmass selected world-renowned artist Rashid Johnson as the 2022-23 lift ticket artist. Johnson is a contemporary American artist whose influential work takes on a range of various media to explore themes of art history, individual and shared cultural identities, personal narratives, literature, philosophy, materiality, and critical history. The 2022-23 lift ticket artwork for Aspen Snowmass will consist of a selection of six of Johnson’s various recent works focusing on intellectual history and cultural identity.   

Inspired by a wide range of everyday materials and objects—including wax, wood, steel, brass, ceramic tile, books, records, old VHS tapes, exotic tropical plants, and even CB radios—Johnson incorporates various media into his work. Dramatic and theatrical, Rashid’s art conveys his influence shamanistic inspiration from both African-American and art history, and many of his recent works use these materials in a way that showcase the artists desire to transform and expand material objects.   

“Aspen Snowmass’ Art in Unexpected Places  program continues to represent the vibrant and distinctive culture found within our mountains and resort, and also emphasizes our brand values. To have an artist of this caliber partner with us is an honor,” Paula Crown, representing the ownership team at Aspen Snowmass, said. “Rashid Johnson’s art is compelling, thought-provoking, and encourages reflection around how art is consumed.”  

Now in its 18th consecutive year, Art in Unexpected Places brings revered artists to Aspen to design limited-edition lift tickets, as well as to connect with local and global communities through workshops, lectures, and on-mountain experiences. 

In addition to being featured on this season’s lift tickets, a limited-edition ski featuring Johnson’s work will be available exclusively at ASPENX, in downtown Aspen. The artist will also lead an in-resort children’s workshop this winter.  

In previous years, Aspen Snowmass has featured commissioned works by internationally recognized artists such as FriendsWithYou, Susan Te Kahurangi King, Hank Willis Thomas, Paula Crown, Yutaka Sone, Peter Doig, Karen Kilimnik, Jim Hodges, Carla Klein, Mamma Andersson, Mark Grotjahn, David Shrigley, Mark Bradford, Anne Collier, Takashi Murakami, Laura Owens and Paola Pivi. The lift ticket art program started as a partnership between the Aspen Art Museum and Aspen Snowmass in 2005.  

About Rashid Johnson 

Born in Chicago in 1977, Johnson is an influential contemporary artist, whose work pushes our perceptions and expands our understanding of contemporary culture. After studying in the photography department at the Art Institute of Chicago, Johnson expanded his work to embrace a wide range of media, including sculpture, painting, drawing, filmmaking, and installation ­– yielding a complex multidisciplinary practice that incorporates diverse materials, rich with symbolism and personal history. Johnson, a skier, has spent time both professionally and personally in Aspen and is the ArtCrush 2018 Aspen Award for Art honoree.  

About Aspen Snowmass  

Established in 1946, Aspen Snowmass owns and operates four mountains—Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk—creating premium, sustainable and transformative experiences in recreation, culture, and nature. In addition, the company runs the award-winning Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen Snowmass, Four Mountain Sports rental and retail shops, and a collection of sustainably-sourced on-mountain food & beverage outlets. Aspen Snowmass works to drive positive social change through climate, community, and minority group advocacy and investment. For more information about Aspen Snowmass, visit www.aspensnowmass.com.