NICK CAVE: FOROTHERMORE

by Nadya Kelly (MA 2023)

The debut of Stephanie and Bill Sick Professor of Fashion, Body and Garment Nick Cave's first-ever career retrospective captures the essence of his artistry while also celebrating his wide body of work.

​​On view at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago until October 2, Nick Cave: Forothermore spotlights the artist’s expansive career and highlights his ventures across multiple disciplines. The exhibition stands as a powerful ode to all people who have ever been “othered” by any form of discrimination and creates a spectacular vision of a more inclusive, just world. 

Forothermore completely transforms the fourth floor of MCA Chicago into an immersive art experience, taking patrons along the landmark works of Cave’s artistic journey, much of which is situated in front of patterned vinyl wallpaper designed by his partner Bob Faust. Curated by Naomi Beckwith, Forothermore organizes the artist’s expansive body of work by theme,  beginning with vivid metallic wind spinners embedded with guns, bullets, and teardrops from Cave’s 2017 installation Until at MASS MoCA. Dozens of Soundsuits are spread across the gallery, all of which have been constructed from various materials and objects including sequins, rugs, flowers, pony beads, and toys to create the elaborate sculptural costumes. A new Soundsuit is also on view for viewers to see, currently exclusive to the artist’s retrospective.

Cave’s first ever Soundsuit was created in 1992 with sticks he found at a park in reaction to the brutal assault of Rodney King at the hands of the Los Angeles police. He has since made hundreds of other Soundsuits that utilize found materials. Throughout the course of his career, which has taken him across multiple mediums such as performance, installation, and video, his dedication to examining and exploring themes of identity, self-expression, injustice, and beauty continues to deeply resonate both within and beyond the art world.