Kapoor Anish

Anish Kapoor is one of the most influential sculptors of his generation, celebrated for his innovative public sculptures that push the boundaries of form and engineering. His works employ a variety of materials and techniques to explore complex themes of presence and absence, concealment and revelation.

Kapoor was born in Mumbai, India in 1954, and he currently lives and works in London and Venice. He began his formal training at Hornsey College of Art in London (1973–77) and continued his postgraduate studies at Chelsea School of Art (1977–78).

Kapoor’s oeuvre includes some of the most iconic public sculptures globally. His geometric forms from the early 1980s, made of pure pigment, and his viscous, blood-red wax sculptures of the past decade, stand as testaments to his ability to evoke both historical mythologies and contemporary themes. Some of his most famous works include:

  • Cloud Gate (2004) in Millennium Park, Chicago, USA
  • Orbit (2012) in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, UK
  • Ark Nova (2013), the world’s first inflatable concert hall in Japan

Kapoor’s work has been showcased worldwide in prestigious venues. Recent solo exhibitions include:

  • Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, Italy (2023-24)
  • Gallerie dell’Accademia di Venezia and Palazzo Manfrin, Venice, Italy (2022)
  • Modern Art Oxford, UK (2021)
  • Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning, Shenzhen, China (2021)
  • Houghton Hall, Norfolk, UK (2020)

Anish Kapoor has received numerous accolades for his contributions to visual arts, including:

  • Premio Duemila for Best Young Artist at the 44th Venice Biennale (1990)
  • Turner Prize (1991)
  • Honorary Fellowships from the University of Wolverhampton (1999) and the Royal Institute of British Architecture (2001)
  • Honorary Doctorate from the University of Oxford (2014)
  • Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) (2003)
  • Knighthood (2013)

Kapoor’s work often explores metaphysical polarities through forms that turn inside out, materials impregnated with color, and mirrors that alter perceptions. His immense PVC skins, concave and convex mirrors, and intricately carved stone recesses challenge viewers to engage deeply with their own sense of presence and absence.