Rashid Johnson's "Branded Flooring" works are a distinctive and innovative part of his artistic practice, combining diverse materials and rich conceptual frameworks to explore themes of identity, culture, and history. These works prominently feature branded red oak flooring, which Johnson repurposes from its traditional use as a building material to a medium for artistic expression.

Johnson's technique involves branding patterns and symbols onto wooden floor panels. These branded images are then integrated with materials such as black soap, wax, ceramic tiles, and mirrors. The process of branding itself is significant, as it transforms the wood into a narrative medium, imbuing it with layers of meaning related to history and identity. By lifting the flooring into a vertical plane and incorporating it into wall-based compositions, Johnson challenges the viewer's perceptions and recontextualizes the material from its everyday use into a form of high art (David Kordansky Gallery) (Aspen Art Museum) .

The branded flooring works carry deep cultural and historical significance. For instance, the branding marks, such as crosshairs, can evoke a range of symbolic interpretations. These marks reference both personal and collective experiences, including the historical branding of enslaved people, thus commenting on themes of oppression and identity. Johnson's use of black soap and wax, materials associated with African American cultural practices, further deepens the narrative complexity of these pieces. These works often serve as a canvas for exploring Johnson’s reflections on his own identity and broader societal issues (David Kordansky Gallery) (David Kordansky Gallery) .

One of Johnson’s notable exhibitions that featured his branded flooring works was "Message to Our Folks" at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago in 2012. This exhibition showcased the intersection of personal and cultural identity through various installations, including pieces that utilized branded wood flooring to significant effect. Another prominent example is the work "I'm Not You" (2011) at the Whitney Museum of American Art, where branded red oak flooring is combined with black soap and wax to create a powerful statement on identity and self-perception (David Kordansky Gallery) (Whitney Museum of American Art) .

Johnson's branded flooring works have been critically acclaimed for their innovative use of materials and their ability to convey complex themes in a visually striking manner. These pieces invite viewers to engage with the materiality of the work and consider the layered histories embedded within. By transforming ordinary materials into profound artistic expressions, Johnson not only challenges traditional boundaries of art but also encourages deeper reflection on issues of identity, history, and cultural memory (David Kordansky Gallery) (David Kordansky Gallery).

Rashid Johnson’s branded flooring works exemplify his ability to merge material innovation with conceptual depth. Through his use of branded wood, black soap, and other culturally significant materials, Johnson creates works that are both visually compelling and rich in narrative, offering insightful commentary on personal and collective identities.