{"id":429390,"date":"2026-05-07T04:21:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T04:21:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/429390\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T04:21:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T04:21:26","slug":"kim-dacres-revitalizes-sleek-tires-chains-and-gears-in-defiant-sculptures-colossal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/429390\/","title":{"rendered":"Kim Dacres Revitalizes Sleek Tires, Chains, and Gears in Defiant Sculptures \u2014 Colossal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kim Dacres<\/a> gravitates toward renewal and care, transforming worn rubber into expressive sculptural portraits. The New York-based artist twists and braids tired treads into sleek buns and rows typical of Black hairstyles, which she embellishes with gear-like crowns and jewelry made of metal bike chains. Spray painting the material to mask marks, Dacres utilizes what might otherwise be deemed worthless to create bold visages.<\/p>\n

A new body of work extends a series of celebratory busts<\/a> the artist made to honor those who\u2019ve inspired and influenced her. On view this month at Charles Moffett<\/a>, Lost on a Two Way Street follows this trajectory, while adding flatter wall works evocative of Victorian-era cameos. \u201cThe emphasis on the subjects\u2019 buns and braiding underscores the extreme efforts required to \u2018keep up\u2019 appearances in the harshest of environments\u2014an acknowledgment of the vital role played by Dacres\u2019 community in uplifting her spirit and maintaining her mental health,\u201d the gallery says.<\/p>\n

\"a<\/a>\u201cOval Medallion \u2013 Uncontained Crash Out Braids\u201d (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, braided bicycle inner tubes, zipties, wood, screws, and black, red, and brown spray paint, 22.5 x 19 x 6.5 inches<\/p>\n

In an explicit reference to the current political climate, the artist has also interpreted the U.S. flag, replacing the stars with Black and brown figures. The stripes fray at the edges, while binding these anonymous faces to the fabric in a way that constricts movement. These works \u201cflash in distress and cry out to helpless void\u2014their condition betraying the truth of a symbol that has long failed to live up to its promise,\u201d a statement says.<\/p>\n

Lost on a Two Way Street runs from May 7 to June 20 in New York. Until then, explore more of the artist\u2019s work on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"a<\/a>\u201cBaby Liberty Bun\u201d (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, wood, screws, metal turntable and spray paint, 19 x 10 x 10.25 inches<\/p>\n

\"a<\/a>\u201cOval Medallion \u2013 Single Braid Lady\u201d (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, braided bicycle inner tubes, zipties, wood, screws, and black spray paint, 22.5 x 19 x 7 inches<\/p>\n

\"a<\/a>\u201cSpoke Flat Bun with Cheekbones\u201d (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, wood, screws, metal turntable and spray paint, 18.5 x 11.5 x 10.5 inches <\/p>\n

\"a<\/a>\u201cContingent on Free Speech Content (Braided Vertical Flag with Valve Stems)\u201d (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, braided bicycle inner tubes, zipties, bicycle pedal arm, screws, and spray paint on wood, 53 x 24.5 x 7.5 inches<\/p>\n

\"a<\/a>\u201cThe day that you are me and I am you (Braided Flag Two Heads)\u201d (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, braided bicycle inner tubes, zip ties, screws and spray paint on wood, 24.5 x 66 x 6.5 inches<\/p>\n

\"a<\/a>\u201cThe rainbow burns the stars out in the sky (Brown Gears)\u201d (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, bicycle parts, wood, screws, fender washers, rubber washer, metal turntable, and red primer spray paint, 19.75 x 11.25 x 12.25 inches<\/p>\n

\"a<\/a>\u201cSquare Medallion \u2013 Top Bun with Loose Braids\u201d (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, braided bicycle inner tubes, zipties, bicycle chains, wood, screws, black and red primer spray paint, 22.75 x 15.5 x 6.5 inches<\/p>\n

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