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all soundsuits. mixed media. 1999-2010

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Chicago-based fabric sculptor, dancer, and performance artist NICK CAVE has become known for making colorful, extravagant sculptures that he calls Soundsuits consisting of brightly colored fabrics, elaborate embroidery, beadwork, raffia and natural materials (include dyed human hair). The finished pieces bear some resemblance to African ceremonial costumes and masks.

These wearable fabric sculptures can stand alone in galleries as visually compelling art objects, or they can be worn by dancers as vehicles for sound and movement. Some are durable; others more fragile but all, based on the human body.

Through his work NICK CAVE reveals the proto-ceremony of which all other primitive ceremonies were echoes, the spastic dance of exuberant creatures trying, and failing, to find the true rhythm of matter, energy, and sound.

If you like what you are seeing, I really encourage you to watch this video (a soundsuit invasion at LA Art Show Fowler Museum, January 2010) or to view his work in person at Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art Charleston until the June 26, 2010 (click for more info).