By cave A Visual Masterpiece by Reinhard Kleist
Sometimes, a book is not just a collection of pages—it’s a work of art in itself. NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS: AN ART BOOK is precisely that. This stunning art book, curated by Reinhard Kleist, gathers his expressive and moody portraits of Nick Cave and his band, spanning three decades of writing, recording, and live performance.
I received this remarkable book as a gift from my niece Oona, and as I flipped through its pages, I was immediately immersed in Cave’s enigmatic universe. Kleist’s distinctive style perfectly captures Cave’s dark romanticism, theatrical presence, and poetic intensity. This book is not just a tribute to the man behind the music—it’s an exploration of his storytelling world.
In his graphic biography Nick Mercy on Me, Kleist painted an enthralling and expressive portrait of Cave—a work that Cave himself described as “a complex, chilling, and completely bizarre journey into Cave World.” Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: An Art Book builds upon this, featuring illustrations that vividly portray the musician and his band. Additionally, Kleist reimagines Cave’s stories through comic book adaptations of songs such as Deanna, The Good Son, and Stagger Lee.
With its large, record-size format and rich visual storytelling, this book is more than just a collection of images—it’s a kaleidoscopic portrait of Nick Cave as a storyteller, musician, and cultural icon. For fans of Cave and Kleist, it’s an absolute must-have. And for admirers of visually compelling art books, it’s a masterpiece worth treasuring.
Oona, if you’re reading this: thank you for this inspiring gift. This book will pass through my hands many times—and linger in my thoughts even longer. 🙏