Untitled

CHAKAIA BOOKER (B. 1953)

Untitled

signed and dated 'Chakaia Booker 07' (on the reverse)

rubber tires, screws, and wood

35 x 34 x 16 1/2 inches (88.9 x 86.4 x 41.9 cm)

Executed in 2007.

PROVENANCE:

Acquired from the artist by the present owner, 2018

NOTES:

Born in 1953 in New Jersey, Chakaia Booker is celebrated for her transformative use of recycled materials, particularly discarded rubber tires, to create monumental, abstract sculptures that challenge traditional notions of form. Booker’s intricate surfaces and bold compositions speak to themes of urban life, environmental consciousness, and African American identity. A recipient of the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship in 2005, her career has been marked by major exhibitions worldwide, including the 2000 Whitney Biennial, and her work is represented in over 40 public collections. Through both her gallery presentations and large-scale public installations, Booker continues to redefine the boundaries of contemporary sculpture. 

In Untitled, Booker’s mastery of material transformation is on full display, as she weaves, layers and manipulates rubber tire parts into complex dynamic forms. The texture and density of the piece evoke a visceral sense of movement and strength, while the repurposed tires carry a symbolic weight, referencing cycles of consumption, labor and endurance. Like much of her work, Untitled operates on both a tactile and conceptual level, inviting viewers to consider the layered histories embedded within the very materials. Booker’s practice turns industrial refuse into objects of unexpected beauty and profound commentary, reinforcing her status as a vital and innovative voice in contemporary art.