Nick Cave's 'Mammoth' Exhibition Explores History and Erasure at the Smithsonian

The artist's largest solo museum show to date features giant mammoth sculptures and thousands of collected objects that tell the story of his family's migration and the complexities of American history.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Artist Nick Cave is bringing his ambitious 'Mammoth' exhibition to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the institution's largest commission by a single artist to date. The show features Cave's signature giant mammoth sculptures made of metal and hair, as well as thousands of collected objects from his family's history and American life that explore themes of memory, history, and erasure. Cave acts as both artist and archaeologist, cataloging and transforming these everyday items into sculptures, installations, and architectural structures that reveal the untold stories of marginalized communities.

Why it matters

Cave's work has long grappled with issues of race, social justice, and the politics of representation. 'Mammoth' arrives at a time when the Smithsonian is facing pressure from the Trump administration to limit 'improper ideology' in its exhibitions, making Cave's exploration of overlooked histories and marginalized perspectives particularly timely and significant.

The details

The centerpiece of 'Mammoth' is Cave's herd of giant mammoth sculptures, which he created by collecting thousands of objects from thrift stores, flea markets, and his own family heirlooms. These towering structures, with their metal skeletons and hairy exteriors, serve as potent symbols of the rediscovery and preservation of history. Cave also incorporates personal elements, like his grandmother's ceramic florals and his late brother's wooden cane, into the larger display. The exhibition also features a video of the mammoths roaming along the Chicago lakefront, and later this year, performers will operate 13 mammoths of varying sizes in a procession through the museum.

  • The 'Mammoth' exhibition opens at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on February 13, 2026.
  • Later this year, performers will operate 13 mammoths of varying sizes in a procession through the museum.

The players

Nick Cave

A Chicago-based artist known for his Soundsuits and other intricate, multimedia sculptures that explore issues of race, identity, and social justice. 'Mammoth' is his first solo exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Bob Faust

Cave's longtime partner, an artist and designer who was instrumental in the creation of the 'Mammoth' exhibition.

Naomi Beckwith

The deputy director and chief curator of the Guggenheim Museum, who curated Cave's major retrospective 'Forothermore.'

Sarah Newman

The curator of contemporary art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, who is overseeing the 'Mammoth' exhibition.

Rodney King

The victim of police brutality in 1991, a pivotal moment that inspired Cave to create his Soundsuits as a form of armor and protection.

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What they’re saying

“I'm witnessing a time where history is being erased, but yet history is being revealed at the same time.”

— Nick Cave, Artist

“What Nick is incredibly good at is transforming something that is quite agonizing into something that can be beautifully joyous.”

— Naomi Beckwith, Deputy Director and Chief Curator, Guggenheim Museum

“We feel like it's the right thing to present now.”

— Sarah Newman, Curator of Contemporary Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum

What’s next

Later this year, performers will operate 13 mammoths of varying sizes in a procession through the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of the 'Mammoth' exhibition.

The takeaway

Nick Cave's 'Mammoth' exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum serves as a powerful exploration of history, memory, and the complexities of American identity, using the iconic mammoth as a symbol of rediscovery and the reclamation of overlooked narratives. The show's ambitious scale and Cave's personal connection to the materials reflect his lifelong commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and challenging dominant historical perspectives.