‘History is Being Erased’: Artist Nick Cave Brings His Ancient Mammoths to the Smithsonian

February 18, 2026

Chicago-based artist Nick Cave has created "Mammoth," the largest single-artist commission in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's history, opening February 13. The exhibition features massive mammoth sculptures made from metal and hair, operated by performers, alongside intricate works assembled from thousands of family heirlooms and thrifted objects including phones, toys, and quilting blocks. Cave, known for his protective Soundsuits born from his response to the Rodney King beating, explores themes of erasure and revelation through the mammoth symbolism, examining how history disappears and resurfaces.

Who is affected

Nick Cave (the artist)
Bob Faust (Cave's partner and collaborator)
Cave's studio assistants at Facility
Performers operating the mammoth sculptures
Visitors to the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Sarah Newman (SAAM's curator of contemporary art)
Naomi Beckwith (deputy director and chief curator of the Guggenheim)
Marginalized communities (referenced as subjects of Cave's work)
The Smithsonian institution (under review by the Trump administration)

What action is being taken

Cave and his team are finishing the mammoths and shipping pieces to Washington, DC
Studio assistants are working on intricate details of the pieces at Facility
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is presenting the exhibition opening February 13
The Trump administration has directed an ongoing review of Smithsonian exhibitions and events
Cave is acting as both artist and archaeologist, cataloging and transforming objects on an illuminated table in the center of the show

Why it matters

This exhibition represents a significant artistic statement about erasure and revelation in American history, particularly timely as the Trump administration seeks to reshape Smithsonian museums by eradicating what it calls "improper ideology." Cave's work preserves and elevates everyday objects and family heirlooms—items not typically archived in museums—giving voice to marginalized communities and forgotten histories. The mammoth symbolism powerfully captures how histories are buried and rediscovered, creating space for viewers to connect their own memories while confronting complex issues of race, colonialism, and identity. Cave's evolution from creating protective Soundsuits in response to police brutality to revealing the humanity within his mammoth structures demonstrates an important shift toward visibility and collective unity rather than concealment.

What's next

The exhibition opens February 13 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Later this year, performers will operate 12 mammoths of varying sizes for a procession through the museum

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint