Acquisition Highlight: Nick Cave Soundsuit

With the help of our generous donors, Telfair Museums was proud to acquire this important soundsuit from celebrated African American artist Nick Cave. The work was purchased with funds provided by Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Levy, Susan Willetts and Alan K. Pritz, Cathy and Philip Solomons, Diane and Ed Schmults, Pamela L. and Peter S. Voss, Jan and Lawrence Dorman, Friends of African American Arts, Dr. William Goldiner, Dr. David M. Hillenbrand, Rosaleen Roxburgh, Ted and Linda Ruby, Marti and Austin Sullivan, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Young, and the Jack W. Lindsay Acquisition Endowment Fund.

“This is the largest purchase for the modern and contemporary collection in Telfair Museums’ history,” said Rachel Reese, Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. “We are beyond thrilled to be able to share Nick Cave’s work and important message with many future generations of Savannahians. Acquiring this soundsuit by Nick Cave, an internationally acclaimed artist, was truly a team effort, and I want to thank everyone involved.”

Cave’s soundsuits can operate as a second skin, meant to conceal race, gender, and class, thereby protecting and transforming one’s identity in an attempt to eliminate prejudices.