Born in Newark, NJ, Chakaia Booker received a BA in Sociology from Rutgers University and her MFA from the City College of New York (CUNY). Her studies in African dance, ceramics, weaving, basketry and tai-chi helped inform her early elaborate work, including wearable sculptures in which she’d place herself and utilize as clothing. She often used discarded materials found at construction sites. This scavanging eventually lead to working with rubber tires for which she is best known today. The various tread patterns, colors and widths create a palette for Booker similar to that of a painter.

Booker’s sculptures often address issues…