A quick look at Anish Kapoor’s shows in Indian and abroad

The internationally celebrated and respected artist displayed his milestone works for the first time in India rather late – only last year - as part of the major ‘twin’ exhibition series in Delhi and Mumbai. Each show complemented the other to give a holistic picture of the diversity and energy that marks his oeuvre.

The Telegraph writer Florence Waters pointed out that ‘one of the most influential sculptors of his generation’ might owe much of his inspiration to Indian culture and color.” Echoing the view, the artist revealed that his work drew from his memories of India. Incidentally, he was quite critical of the country’s contemporary visual culture, and the manner in which it is perceived internationally.

According to him, post-Independence, the museums in India were trying to form an idea of what an inherent visual context might be, but it remained ‘full of clichés – the ones we’ve bought into’. His latest commission to design the spectacular new public attraction for London 2012 Olympic Park, entitled ‘The ArcelorMittal Orbit’, has also received spectacular media attention. The breathtaking piece of public art – set to be the tallest in the UK - will tower over the Olympic Park.

Incidentally, his first solo was hosted more than two and a half decades ago at Patrice Alexandre, Paris. Since then his exhibitions have been held at several prestigious venues across the world like Manchester Art Gallery (2011); Pinchuk Art Center, Kiev; Guggenheim, Bilbao; Solomon R. Guggenheim Gallery, New York (2010); Royal Academy of Arts, London; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; MAK Exhibition Hall, Vienna, Austria (2009); Kukje Gallery, Seoul.

Other venues to have hosted his shows are Deutsche Guggenheim, Berlin (2008); Haus der Kunst, Munich, Germany; Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, São Paulo (2007); Centre for Contemporary Art, Malaga, Spain; Lisson Gallery, London (2009, 2006, 2000); Gwangju Biennale, South Korea (2004); Kunsthaus Bregenz, Austria (2003); Tate Modern, London (2002); and Taidehalli, Helsinki (2001); among others.