Kim Dacres: Sculpting Identity with Discarded Tires in Paris

"Crossroads Like This" Exhibition

• 💡 The exhibition "Crossroads Like This" at Zidoun-Bossuyt Gallery in Paris marks the European debut of Harlem-based sculptor Kim Dacres.
• 🎯 The show explores themes of Black, queer, and feminine identity in America through Dacres' unique artistic lens.

The Meaning of "Crossroads"

• 📌 The exhibition title, "Crossroads Like This," carries a dual meaning: a Jamaican idiom for bad luck and a personal/political reflection on reconciling identity and location.
• 💬 Dacres discusses how the stress of recent political climates influenced her work, leading her to find solace in childhood music and dance hall classics.

Transforming Rubber Tires

• ♻️ Dacres utilizes discarded rubber tires as her primary medium, drawn to their smell, their connection to her Bronx upbringing, and their symbolism of mobility.
• 🌍 The material also embeds deeper histories of resource extraction from the Global South and social narratives.
• 🧩 Each sculpture is layered with meaning, reflecting manipulated histories and the manipulation of the material itself.

"Romy No Bad Mind Me" Sculpture

• 🎶 The sculpture "Romy No Bad Mind Me" is inspired by a classic dance hall song and addresses the impact of adult decisions on Black and brown children, and queer youth.
• ⚠️ The title, an idiom meaning "don't wish bad luck on me," serves as a plea to look out for the well-being of children.

Artistic Approach and Impact

• 📚 Dacres' background as a teacher and principal informs her practice, approaching her art as a lesson plan with visual anchors and intended takeaways.
• ✨ She hopes viewers leave the exhibition with a sense of joy, recognizing the pivotal moment in history and the impact of decisions on mental health and the environment.
• 🖼️ Her work, described as abstract portraiture, aims to create celebratory busts of Black women, focusing on elements like hairstyles and presentation.