Cover image: Kim Dacres poses with several works
© Entrée to Black Paris

I saw my first Kim Dacres sculpture at the Zidoun & Bossuyt Gallery's PERSPECTIVE exhibition in February 2025.  

Des, 2023 completely captivated me, and I resolved to learn more about the artist.

So, I was thrilled when I was informed that Zidoun & Bossuyt was hosting a solo show by Dacres, and I hastened to the opening.

Zidoun Bossuyt Gallery façade
© Entrée to Black Paris

Dacres is a first-generation American sculptor of Jamaican descent, and Crossroads Like This is her first solo exhibition in France.  The title of the show reflects two themes: one draws on the Jamaican idiom of “crosses,” meaning bad luck or bad intentions and the other refers to the figurative meaning of arriving at a critical point in life where a decision must be made.

The exhibition features eleven works created in the artist's signature media - rubber salvaged from car, bike, motorcycle, and scooter tires; inner tubes; bicycle gears and chains; screws; and spray paint.

Busts either sit atop wooden blocks of varying heights or rest on stands made from wood or tightly coiled tire rubber encased in rubber.

Shelly Ann, Walk Like a Champion (Braids, top hat, silver earrings), 2025
Found auto, scooter, and bicycle rubber, hand braided inner tubes, zipties,
bicycle parts, fender washers, rubber washers, wood, screws, and
spray painted bust mounted stained oak plinth
© Entrée to Black Paris

Nadine, Nuff a dem a pose like a dem run di world, 2025
Found auto and bicycle rubber, hand braided inner tubes, zipties,
bicycle parts, fender washer, rubber washers, wood, screws, and
spray painted bust mounted on pressure treated wood,
metal fence post base, and rubber plinth
© Entrée to Black Paris

Dacres pays particular attention to hairstyles in her work.  These alone are enough to completely absorb a visitor's attention.

 Nadine, Nuff a dem a pose like a dem run di world, 2025
Detail - cornrows
© Entrée to Black Paris

Romie, No Bad Mind Me (Coiled Hair), 2025 
Found auto and bicycle rubber, hand coiled inner tubes, wood,
screws, and spray painted bust mounted on stained oak plinth
© Entrée to Black Paris

She titles her works using a person's name and a Jamaican patois phrase that references Jamaican dancehall music.  A list that presents these names and translations of the phrases is mounted on the wall at the rear of the main room of the gallery.

Artwork title translations
© Entrée to Black Paris

I had the pleasure of meeting Dacres at the opening.  Outgoing and expressive, she was more than happy to talk about her creative practice and inspiration.

Her mother came to Paris for the exhibition, and I got to meet her as well.

L to R: Kim Dacres and her mother
© Entrée to Black Paris

Crossroads Like This will be on display through November 1, 2025.

Zidoun & Bossuyt
51 rue de Seine
75006 Paris
Metro: Mabillon (Line 10)
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11 AM to 6 PM

To learn more about Kim Dacres' personal life, artistic practice, and views on contemporary art, listen to her September 2024 interview on CerebralWomen.com.