My father had a big brick cell phone, before anyone had a cell phone, because he was really just into that kind of thing - communication devices. I grew up between my father's laboratory and my mother's library.

In this quote, Rashid Johnson, an American artist, reflects on his unique upbringing and the influence of technology and knowledge in shaping his life. He mentions that his father owned an early version of a cell phone, which was large and bulky, a precursor to the sleek smartphones of today. Johnson notes that his father was particularly interested in communication devices, foreshadowing the role that technology would play in modern life. This early exposure to communication technology highlights how Johnson's formative years were influenced by innovation and the tools that would eventually transform how people connect with each other.

Johnson contrasts his father’s interest in technology with his mother's connection to knowledge and information, as symbolized by her library. Growing up between his father’s laboratory and his mother’s library suggests that Johnson was exposed to both the technical and intellectual worlds, blending the realms of science and culture. This dual influence likely shaped his worldview, creating a foundation where technology and knowledge intersected, fostering his creativity and his exploration of how both fields can inform artistic expression.

The quote also reflects the balance between innovation and education that Johnson experienced. His upbringing, surrounded by his father’s interest in cutting-edge communication devices and his mother’s emphasis on learning, provided him with a well-rounded perspective. These two influences—technology and intellect—are central themes in Johnson’s work as an artist, which often explores the intersections of identity, culture, and communication.

Ultimately, this reflection from Rashid Johnson highlights how the influence of family and their professions can deeply shape one’s life. By growing up with such varied influences—one rooted in technology and the other in intellectual pursuit—he was given the tools to explore and understand the world in multidimensional ways. His upbringing serves as a testament to how the worlds of technology, communication, and knowledge can intersect to inspire creativity and new ways of thinking.