Unlike the representational work of Tom Otterness (2006) and Julian Opie (2007), Booker's sculptures are abstract shapes made of rubber woven into steel. (Pictured: Spirit Hunter, 2001, 120.5"x132"x144", rubber tire, steel, wood, Exhibited-Marlborough Chelsea Gallery) "From auto tires, something nobody considers art, she creates something really lovely and thought-provoking," said Janis Gardner Cecil, a director at the Marlborough Gallery in New York that represents Booker. "It's incredible what she does."

Booker's work, said Mindy Taylor Ross, director of the Arts Council's Public Art Indianapolis program, is the right next move for public art here. "I definitely tried to stair-step these exhibitions to make each one different and perhaps a bit more challenging," she said.

Ross hopes the public is better prepared thanks to the previous public art exhibitions and ongoing efforts by other arts institutions to bring quality, contemporary art to the city. "All of that plays together," Ross said. "Now, we have much more access to great work by great living artists in our city."

Inclusion in the 2000 Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York first brought Booker international attention as an artist, Ross said.

Ross got to know Booker and her art in 2005 while working on the Otterness exhibition. Booker and Otterness are both represented by the Marlborough Gallery.

Right away, Ross felt Booker would be a great fit for Indianapolis. "Her work connects with our community's love of car racing and car culture, the city's new GreenPrint Initiative, the strength of entrepreneurial women and our city's African-American heritage," she said.

Download a PDF of the Chakaia Booker: Mass Transit map.