Nick Cave Corrects Historical Misinterpretations Through Amalgams and Graphts
Nick Cave has arrived at the Jack Shainman Gallery's new location in Tribeca to set the record straight with his solo exhibition, Amalgams and Graphts. On view from January 10 to March 15, 2025, the exhibition unites two similar concepts, Amalgams and Graphts, each component working together to fuel a dialogue filled with despair and optimism.
The opening, which celebrated the gallery's new location, was full of friends and supporters!
Amalgams: Monumental Sculptures of Growth and Resilience
Amalgams, a reimagining of the traditional role of public monuments, anchors the exhibition with a trio of monumental bronze sculptures. Through these works, Cave illuminates the silenced voices that have long resisted oppressive structures; instead, offering an inclusive counter-narrative to historical misinterpretations. Inspired by his iconic Soundsuits exhibition—a response to the Rodney King incident of 1991—Amalgams continues this battle against injustice.
The exhibition’s centerpiece, Amalgams (Origin), towers nearly 26 feet high. This awe-inspiring sculpture features intricate designs along the body’s cast, culminating in a vibrant hub of branches and birds at the top—a symbol of evolution and spirituality.
Another notable piece, Amalgam (Plot), is as beautiful as it is poignant. It depicts two bronze figures lying side by side: one taking cover, the other gazing upward with its visage transformed into an overgrown garden of floral motifs. The work evokes the grim realities of racially motivated violence while offering a memoir of resilience and hope.
Nick Cave, Amalgam (Origin), 2024. Courtesy of Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.
Graphts: Personal and Collective Narratives in Mixed Media
Complementing the Amalgams series is Graphts, a groundbreaking collection of needlepoint self-portraits set against vibrant collages of florals and serving trays. While Cave has frequently used his body as a cast in his work, Graphts marks the first time he has revealed himself so personally, weaving deeply personal narratives with cultural and historical resonance.
Each material is laden with meaning: needlepoint, traditionally associated with upper-class leisure, contrasts with the quilt-like patchwork of serving trays, which reflect the resourceful creative traditions of Black communities shaped by necessity rather than choice. Built on the structure of identity, viewers are invited to reflect on their own internal biases through the material objects used to create what is Graphts.
Amalgams and Graphts is on view at Jack Shainman Gallery’s Tribeca location, with one of the Amalgams sculptures visible to the public at all times - a must see.
