Nick CAVE

Soundsuit
(2015)
from the Soundsuit series 1992–

Medium

fibreglass, cotton, shell, glass, metal

Credit Line: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by the Fox Family Foundation and the NGV Foundation, 2016
© Nick Cave, courtesy Jack Shainman Gallery, New York
Reproduction requests

Gallery location: Not on display

About this work

Nick Cave began creating his Soundsuit series in an attempt to process his trauma associated with the 1992 Los Angeles riots. These full-body, wearable sculptures act as symbols of endurance and a form of protection by obscuring all signs of the wearer’s race, gender, age, sexual identification and class. Bearing some resemblance to African ceremonial costumes, Cave’s Soundsuits are made from everyday materials sourced largely from flea markets, including dyed human hair, plastic buttons, beads and feathers. They are joyous and spectacular, reminiscent of a marching band in procession. Cave’s Soundsuits rattle and resonate when worn in performance.

Artwork Details

Medium

fibreglass, cotton, shell, glass, metal

Measurements

230.0 × 122.5 × 76.5 cm

Place/s of Execution

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Accession Number

2016.89

Department

Contemporary Art

Credit Line

National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by the Fox Family Foundation and the NGV Foundation, 2016
© Nick Cave, courtesy Jack Shainman Gallery, New York

Reproduction requests

Gallery location

Not on display

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Nick CAVE Soundsuit (2015) from the Soundsuit series 1992–

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Nick CAVE

Soundsuit
(2015)
from the Soundsuit series 1992–