Even with restrictions, there are wonderful days out to be enjoyed by those of us ‘staycationing’ this summer – and Anish Kapoor at Houghton Hall is a particular highlight.
Featuring 24 sculptures as well as a selection of drawings and smaller works spanning the artist’s 40 year career, this magnificent exhibition brings together a number of Kapoor’s most important works, including Sky Mirror (2018), a 5-metre diameter mirror of stainless steel that reflects and transforms the space around it, turning the world upside down.
Anish Kapoor is one of the most influential sculptors working today, known for creating ambitious public sculptures adventurous in both form and engineering across vastly different scales and materials. The series of works chosen for this exhibition challenge the classical architecture of Houghton and the idyllic beauty of the grounds, whilst being in continuous dialogue and engagement with the estate’s history.
Houghton Hall was built by Sir Robert Walpole, Great Britain’s first Prime Minister in around 1722. Designed by prominent Georgian architects Colen Campbell and James Gibbs, it is one of the country’s finest examples of Palladian architecture. Houghton and its estate passed to the Cholmondeley family at the end of the 18th Century and remains a family home. The house and award-winning gardens have been open to the public since 1976.
The exhibition is presented by Houghton Arts Foundation, and curated by Maria Codognato. The Foundation was created to build a collection of contemporary art in the grounds of Houghton Hall, enabling the estate to become focus for those who wish to see great art of our time in a historic setting. Anish Kapoor at Houghton Hall follows exhibitions of work by James Turrell (2015), Richard Long (2017), Damien Hirst (2018) and Henry Moore (2019).
Lord Cholmondeley, owner of Houghton, said: “Anish Kapoor is a magician. His elegant reflective pieces throw back the world in mysterious ways. We are proud to have the opportunity to present an important group of Anish Kapoor’s work at Houghton, and are delighted to be able to welcome visitors once again.”
Anish Kapoor at Houghton Hall is now open, and runs until 1 November 2020. Pre-booking is essential via Houghton Hall The exhibition is sponsored by Dorotheum with support from Lisson Gallery.
Photo: Sky Mirror, 2018, Stainless steel Eight Eight, 2004, Onyx
Courtesy the artist and Lisson Gallery © Anish Kapoor. All rights reserved DACS, 2020
Photo: Pete Huggins