Nick Cave is a Chicago-based multimedia and performance artist, fashion designer, and teacher. Cave, Department Chair of the Fashion Department at the School of the Art Institute, earned a bachelor’s degree from the Kansas City Art Institute and a master’s degree from the Cranbrook Academy of Art. In 2001 he received a prestigious Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation grant, and in 2002 and 2004 he received Creative Capital Grants. Cave is represented by Jack Shainman Gallery in New York; his work has been exhibited throughout Europe and the United States; and he has been profiled in national trade publications such as Art News and American Craft.
The Joyce Award allowed Chicago Cultural Center Foundation to commission new soundsuits specifically for Cave’s upcoming exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center. Inspired by tribal ceremonial costumes from around the world, Cave’s sculptural soundsuits are full body garments that are layered and textured in metal, plastic, fabric, hair, and found objects and designed to rattle and resonate with expressive body movement of the wearer. The exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center included approximately 50 soundsuits, a video presentation of previous performances utilizing soundsuits and a live performance by local dancers wearing his soundsuits.