Nick Cave (1959- ) is an American sculptor, dancer, performance artist, and educator best known for his Soundsuits. Cave initially created the Soundsuit in direct response to the police beating of Rodney King in 1991. The suits act as armor for the body, concealing race, gender, and class, forcing the viewer to look without judgment. They are made of an assemblage of fabric, toys, noisemakers, and other objects. He also creates mixed media sculptures and installations.  Cave received his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1982. He received his MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1988. Additionally, he received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design in June 2022.