An expert’s guide to Anish Kapoor: five must-read books
With a new show at London’s Hayward Gallery, an expert chooses books that delve into the established sculptor’s life and work over five decades
Anish Kapoor, a renowned British-Indian artist, has been showcasing his work at the Hayward Gallery in London. His exhibit, which runs until October 18th, features new pieces that continue the tradition of his iconic sculptures, black voids, and red inflatable works. To better understand Kapoor's vast career spanning five decades, Mary Richards, the gallery's publisher, has recommended five essential books.
The first book is Kapoor's 1998 catalogue, featuring contributions from Homi K. Bhabha and Pier Luigi Tazzi. The 2009 catalogue, accompanying the Royal Academy exhibition, showcases Kapoor's groundbreaking "Shooting into the Corner" piece and includes essays by Bhabha, Bhabha, and Jean de Loisy. Kapoor's 2015 Versailles commission, displayed in the Palace of Versailles, is captured in the 2015 catalogue, which includes photographs and an interview with the artist by Julia Kristeva.
In 2018, Kapoor exhibited at Serralves, Porto, in an exhibition that challenges traditional perceptions of his studio practice. The 2018 catalogue, with contributions from Suzanne Cotter and Christopher Bollas, offers a visual exploration of Kapoor's evolving creative process. The 2022 book, "Painting," is the first to delve into Kapoor's paintings, analyzing recurring themes such as voids, wounds, and mountains.
Finally, the 2022 publication, "Way Out Way In: Photographs by Anish Kapoor," complements the Hayward Gallery exhibit with black-clad protesters gathering at Kapoor's famous "Cloud Gate" sculpture to demand the release of the individual they believe resides within the artwork.
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