Nick Cave in ‘Anti/Body’ at Jack Shainman Gallery

Nick Cave’s original Soundsuit, a costume made from hundreds of small twigs that rustled when the suit was worn, was a protective gesture prompted by Rodney King’s violent treatment at the hands of LA police in 1991.  His latest series of suits, now on view in Jack Shainman Gallery’s group exhibition ‘Anti/Body,’ are collectively titled 8:46, referring to the amount of time (recently understood to be longer) that Derek Chauvin took to kill George Floyd.  Larger than life and composed of bright floral and patterned textiles as well as synthetic flowers, each suit celebrates and mourns a lost life.  (On view in Chelsea through July 2nd.  Masks and social distancing required).

Nick Cave, installation view of Soundsuits titled 8:46 in Anti/Body at Jack Shainman Gallery, June, 2021.