Athena Society Elects to Acquire Anish Kapoor’s Magenta for Vero Beach Museum of Art

At its annual dinner on Thursday, April 17, 2025, the Vero Beach Museum of Art's Athena Society Members voted to acquire Magenta, 2020, a stainless steel and lacquer sculpture by British-Indian artist Anish Kapoor.

Kapoor's sculptures span a wide range of media, from PVC and wax to concave and convex mirrors. His exploration of materiality and form pushes the boundaries of what sculpture can and should be, often engaging the viewer in a dynamic relationship with the artwork. One of his most famous works, Cloud Gate (2006) in Millennium Park, Chicago, is a prime example of his ability to merge technical mastery with conceptual depth.

Photo: Anish Kapoor, Magenta, 2020. Stainless steel and lacquer, 63 x 63 x 9 5/8 inches. Courtesy of Lisson Gallery.

 Regarding his sculpture, Kapoor has stated: "The work doesn’t exist without the viewer, without somebody looking at it. The existence of the sculpture is only completed by the person who is looking at it. That relationship is what makes it whole.”

 This philosophy reflects Kapoor’s broader artistic vision—his works are not merely static objects, but dynamic experiences shaped by perception and interaction. The highly reflective surface of Magenta allows viewers to see themselves and their surroundings in a distorted, ever-changing form. This transformation emphasizes the sculpture’s dual nature: both fluid and solid, finite yet infinite, disorienting yet playful, and tangible yet ethereal. It is an outstanding example of his most well-known body of work, which explores reflection, depth, and perspective.

The Athena Society was formed in 2003 to acquire art for the Museum's permanent collection. Comprising members who contribute $5,000 annually in addition to holding a Chairman’s Club-level membership or higher, the society plays a pivotal role in shaping the museum's artistic legacy. The Society has grown to a record 148 member households. Through their contributions, the Athena Society ensures the VBMA continues to grow as a dynamic and diverse cultural institution.

The latest sculpture will be on view at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, beginning September 27, as part of the Recent Acquisition Highlights exhibition.

To learn more about Athena Society membership, contact Bev Shea, VBMA Assistant Director of Development, at 772-231-0707 ext. 109 or bshea@verobeachmuseum.org.