Missouri native Nick Cave is known for his “soundsuits” like this one at the Columbus Museum of Art.

It looks pretty wild as it is made with found knitted and crocheted fabric, painted metal and wood toys. I wish I had understood it better as I studied it in the museum. Cave began creating these pieces in response to the Rodney King beating as a vehicle for empowerment. The suits cover the entire body, concealing race, gender and class.

I like it better now that I understand it.

That’s something that frustrates me in some art museums. They often give you the bare bones of the origin without explanation. I get that they want you to form your own opinions but I often struggle to do this with modern art and appreciate a little background as a jumping off point.

Consequently, I often note the artist’s name for later research and comprehension. That’s the thing about asking questions. You never know what you might learn!