Lehmbruck Prize goes to Anish Kapoor

His works include the famous Cloud Gate (2006) in Chicago, the Sky Mirror (2001) in Nottingham and Descension (2014) in New York City: the Indian-British artist Anish Kapoor (*1954) is one of the most important artists of our time. Kapoor became known in the 1980s for his innovative sculptures made of colored pigments. Today, he is best known for his monumental sculptures, which often incorporate reflective materials. Kapoor's works raise key questions about spirituality and the impact of humans on their natural environment. Kapoor received the Turner Prize in 1991 and the Praemium Imperiale, colloquially known as the »Nobel Prize for the Arts«, in 2011.

In 2025, Kapoor will now receive the Wilhelm Lehmbruck Prize from the City of Duisburg and the Rhineland Regional Association for his life's work. The prize is usually awarded every five years and is endowed with 10,000 euros. It is awarded specifically for significant achievements in sculpture. The jury, chaired by museum director Söke Dinkla, justified the award with the »magic of the monochrome, symbol-laden colors, reflective surfaces and monumental forms« in Kapoor's work. The prize is accompanied by an exhibition at the Lehmbruck Museum. The dates for the exhibition and the award ceremony have not yet been set.

The Lehmbruck Prize has been awarded since 1966. Previous prizewinners include Claes Oldenburg (1981), Joseph Beuys (1986), Nam June Paik (2001) and Rebecca Horn (2017).