Nick Cave’s Soundsuits evince a strong affinity for the formal traditions of West African masquerade though his influences are much wider ranging. Through his work, Cave explores the role of ceremony in ritual, myth and identity. He does this through a layering of diverse materials such as fabrics, embroidery, beads, sequins, found objects, twigs, leaves and hair. These materials are transformed through the mind of the artist into potent talisman. Kenneth Baker of the San Francisco Chronicle states “The obvious brilliance of Cave’s work lies in its striking mix of materials, its labor-intensive surface energy and the humor that ripples through it. But the work stands out because it does not sacrifice all critical spirit to effect its near-irresistible appeal.”
