Lot 2072
Nick Cave (American, b. 1959), Untitled
Lot Details & Additional Photographs
Approximately 24 x 5 x 2 1/2 in.
The Contemporary Art Collection of Francine & Benson Pilloff, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Exhibited R. Duane Reed Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri, October 24-November 29, 1997.
Nick Cave is an interdisciplinary artist of many talents. Born in Fulton, Missouri, Nick is a trained dancer, having studied at the Alvin Ailey program in 1979. He studied Fiber Arts at both Kansas City Arts Institute and at North Texas State University before receiving his M.F.A. degree in Fiber Arts in 1989 at Cranbrook Academy of Art.
Nick is well-known for his Sound Suits, mixed media sculptural works appropriate for gallery exhibition and/or destined be worn by dancers and as vehicles for performance movement. Ornamented with a variety of colorful and textural elements, often found or repurposed, the suits connect the viewer to cultural archetypes, identity, tribal culture, Mardi-Gras, drag queen performance, and the performance art of artists like Joseph Beuys. These suits and other objects are designed to rattle and resonate in concert with the movement of the wearer, often Cave himself. The first of these came out a time when the artist was struggling with effects of the Rodney King beatings. Thinking on themes of identity of being human and a African American male led to the creation of his first twig sound suit, which has then lead to many other forms and materials, bold in texture and design, and identity-altering.
Cave's career also includes running a successful fashion and design company in Chicago called Robave, Inc., in collaboration with fellow designer Jeffery Roberts. Founded in 1993, Robave is known for its one-of-a-kind or limited edition, hand-painted clothing and textiles that are elegant and unique to both artists' creative visions.
Nick is also a community builder and educator. He helped launch the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s (SAIC) two-year Fashion, Body and Garment program and has served as both instructor to young emerging artists and as the director of that department.
Cave’s awards and residencies include the Joan Mitchell Foundation Award (2008), Artadia Award (2006), Joyce Award (2006), Creative Capital Grant (2004, 2002), and a Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Award (2001). Cave has had major exhibitions at MASS MoCA (2016); Cranbrook Art Museum (2015); Saint Louis Art Museum (2014-15); ICA Boston (2014); Denver Art Museum (2013); Fabric Workshop and Museum (2011-12); Seattle Art Museum (2011); and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (2009), among others. Nick's work is included in many major museum collections.
Jack Shainman Gallery will be hosting Nick Cave's solo exhibition Amalgams and Graphts at their newly renovated location at 46 Lafayette Street, New York City in January 2025.
