Chakaia Booker's Tire Sculptures at National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, presents 'In the Tower: Chakaia Booker: Treading New Ground', an exhibition of monumental sculptures made from discarded tires. On view from April 5, 2025, to August 2, 2026, the show features three large wall reliefs—including 'Acid Rain', 'Echoes in Black (Industrial Cicatrization)', and 'It's So Hard to Be Green'—alongside the six-part photogravure series 'Foundling Warrior Quest (II 21C)'. For over four decades, Booker has transformed reclaimed rubber into dynamic compositions that address ecological crisis, labor, race, and Black cultural histories. The tires retain their weathered textures, serving as records of circulation and survival. The exhibition is part of the museum's In the Tower series.