Kapoor is regarded as one of the most influential and pioneering sculptors of his generation and is celebrated for works which enter into a profound spiritual engagement with the viewer. This exhibition surveys Kapoor's career to date as well as showcase new and previously unseen works. One of the highlights of the exhibition is the monumental work Svayambh, (a Sanskrit word which roughly translates as 'auto-generated'). The work has the appearance of a vast mass of wax that moves almost imperceptibly on sunken rails leaving a residue in its wake as it traverses the breadth of Burlington House.
curated by Jean de Loisy in conjunction with Dr Adrian Locke
In the autumn of 2009, the Royal Academy of Arts will hold a major solo exhibition of the internationally
acclaimed artist and 1991 Turner Prize winner Anish Kapoor. Kapoor is regarded as one of the most
influential and pioneering sculptors of his generation and is celebrated for works which enter into a
profound spiritual engagement with the viewer such as the early pigment sculptures; 1000 Names (1979-
80), Marsyas (2002) part of the Unilever Series at the Turbine Hall, Tate Modern, and Sky Mirror,
installed at the Rockefeller Centre, New York in 2006.
This exhibition will survey Kapoor’s career to date as well as showcase new and previously unseen
works. One of the highlights of the exhibition will be the monumental work Svayambh, (a Sanskrit word
which roughly translates as "auto-generated"). The work has the appearance of a vast mass of wax that
moves almost imperceptibly on sunken rails leaving a residue in its wake as it traverses the breadth of
Burlington House. This emblematic work reflects Kapoor’s exploration of sculptural works that actively
participate in their own formation.
Another highlight of the exhibition is Shooting into the Corner (2009), which will be displayed in the Large
Weston and Small Weston Rooms. A cannon will shoot projectiles of red wax into a corner at regular
intervals. Relentlessly repeating this action, the work will evolve over the duration of the exhibition as
the build up of wax takes on its own form against the walls and the floor of the galleries. The spectacle
surrounding the firing of the cannon and the accumulation of the wax produces a work of extraordinary
complexity and drama.
Also included in the exhibition will be a group of early pigment pieces, stainless steel reflective
sculptures as well as newly created works, including a major new sculpture, which will be sited in the
Annenberg Courtyard.
BIOGRAPHY
Born in India, 1954, Anish Kapoor studied at Hornsey College of Art, London (1973 – 1977) and at
Chelsea School of Art, London (1977 – 1978).
Kapoor’s first solo exhibition was held at Patrice Alexandre, Paris in 1980. His international reputation
was quickly established, with an array of solo exhibitions held in countries around the world. Kapoor
represented Britain in the Paris Biennale in 1982, and again in 1990 at the Venice Biennale, for which he
was awarded Premio Duemila. The following year he won the prestigious Turner Prize Award. Anish
Kapoor has recently acted as Guest Artistic Director of the Brighton Festival 2009.
Kapoor was elected Royal Academician in 1999 and has been awarded Honorary Fellowships by the
London Institute and Leeds University (1997), University of Wolverhampton (1999) and the Royal
Institute of British Architects (2001). He lives and works in London.
ORGANISATION
The exhibition is curated by the independent curator Jean de Loisy in conjunction with Dr Adrian Locke,
Exhibitions Curator, Royal Academy of Arts. The exhibition is organised by the Royal Academy of Arts in
partnership with the Lisson Gallery, London, Gladstone Gallery, New York, and Anish Kapoor Studio.
CATALOGUE
The exhibition will be accompanied by a full colour catalogue published by Royal Academy Publications.
This richly illustrated book traces Kapoor’s artistic development over a career spanning more than 30
years. Eminent scholars and critics explore the philosophical issues pertinent to his work and examine
its place in the history of modern sculpture and in the context of contemporary practice.
For further press information, please contact Johanna Bennett on tel. 020 7300 5615, fax 020 7300 8032,
or email press.office@royalacademy.org.uk
Tickets are available daily at the RA. To book tickets in advance please tel: 0844 209 1919 or visit
http://www.royalacademy.org.uk.
Groups of 10 or more are asked to book in advance; please tel: 020 7300
8027, fax: 020 7300 8084
or email: groupbookings@royalacademy.org.uk
Press View Tuesday 22 September 10am – 2pm
Royal Academy of Arts
Burlington House Piccadilly, London
Open to public: 10am – 6pm daily (last admission 5.30pm)
Late night openings: Fridays until 10pm (last admission 9.30pm)
Admission £12 full price; £10 Registered Disabled and 60 + years; £8 NUS / ISIC cardholders; £4 12–18 years and
Income Support; £3 8–11 years; 7 and under free.