On January 10th, 2025, Jack Shainman Gallery officially opened the doors to its expansive new flagship Tribeca location. And to kick things off, a massive exhibition by Chicago-based artist Nick Cave, titled Amalgams and Graphts, has brought monumental bronze sculptures, or “Amalgams,” and a series of mixed-media self-portraits, or “Graphts,” to the shiny, new space.
“Two distinct series push [Cave’s] singular style and vision to an epic realm, while maintaining an intimate and personal conversation with his audience,” says the Gallery of the exhibition. Three large bronze sculptures make up the Amalgams portion of the exhibition, and are an evolution of Cave’s iconic Soundsuits, which were created in response to the Rodney King beating in 1991 and, concealing race, gender, and class, forced viewers to engage without preconceived judgment.
The Amalgams are fused casts from Cave’s own body ornamented with intricate and ornate designs, such as natural forms including as flowers, birds, and trees, gesturing to nature’s sense of evolution and possibility. The nearly 26-foot-tall Amalgam (Origin) at the center of the gallery features a tree sprouting out from the top, while the Amalgam (Plot) depicts two bronze figures lying side by side “recalling a still from video footage portraying the ongoing racially motivated violence cast onto Black bodies.”
“Together, the Amalgams are embodiments of growth and resistance in the face of oppressive structures,” writes the Gallery.
Debuting alongside the Amalgams is Cave’s newest series, Graphts. These needlepoint portraits of the artist, the first time Cave has revealed a recognizable self portrait, are set amongst fields of florals and color constructed from vintage serving trays. The needlepoint is associated with upper class gentility, while the patchwork of serving trays evoke quilting traditions prevalent in the Black community, making for an interplay of double meanings.
Jack Shainman Gallery’s website writes:
Together, the Amalgams and Graphts investigate how we portray race, class and power, as well as how these larger institutional systems shape our identities. They are both deeply personal and universal, allowing viewers many entry points into a reflective experience.
Beyond the gallery, Cave’s work is on permanent view at the 42nd Street Times Square subway station.
Jack Shainman Gallery’s new Tribeca location is located in the multi-story historic Clock Tower Building–originally completed around 1898–at 46 Lafayette Street. Occupying 20,000 square feet, with 29-foot-high ceilings, sweeping staircases, and a wall of massive arched windows, the grandeur space makes it perfect for large-scale exhibitions.
Visit the Jack Shainman Gallery website for more information regarding upcoming exhibitions.
📍 Jack Shainman Gallery – 46 Lafayette Street
🖼 Currently: Amalgams and Graphts by Nick Cave
🗓 Now through March 15th, 2025