Gallery of Modern Art unveils work by leading international sculptor

A monumental sculpture by leading international artist Anish Kapoor will have a permanent home in Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), after its official unveiling today.

Arts Minister Rod Welford said the sculpture was the most significant work by Kapoor in an Australian state public art gallery collection.

“The red, highly polished, resin fibreglass sculpture was commissioned by the Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees in 2006 to mark the opening of GoMA,” Mr Welford said.

“The Queensland Art Gallery Foundation funded the sculpture which, after its unveiling today, will become part of the collection.

“This landmark work has been dedicated to former Queensland Art Gallery Director Doug Hall, in recognition of his 20-year contribution to the Gallery and to Queensland.”

Queensland Art Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said Indian-born Anish Kapoor lived and worked in the United Kingdom and over the past 30 years had made an exceptional contribution to contemporary sculpture.

“This site-specific work, Untitled 2007, reflects Kapoor’s mastery of his chosen materials and offers visitors the artist’s response to the Gallery’s architectural space,” Mr Ellwood said.

“It is especially significant since Kapoor is selective about the projects he undertakes and, as a result, is in high demand.”

Anish Kapoor participated in the Queensland Art Gallery’s 5th Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT5) in 2006-07.

He has created many large-scale commissions including one of the world’s largest outdoor sculptures, Cloud Gate 2004, an 110-tonne, mirror-finished stainless steel form in Chicago.

Anish Kapoor’s work is held in European and North American art museums including the Tate Collection, the Museum of Modern Art, Palacio de Velaquez, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid, and the Stedelijk Museum.

Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000