The internationally renowned contemporary artist Anish Kapoor is the subject of a major solo exhibition titled Anish Kapoor: Painting at Modern Art Oxford, UK, on view through February 13, 2022. A rare opportunity that brings together a large number of paintings by the celebrated sculptor in one setting, Anish Kapoor: Painting presents approximately 18 oil paintings alongside eight sculptures. The oil paintings featured in the exhibition have all been created during the pandemic, which led the artist to pose fundamental questions about life and death. Taking an intuitive approach, Kapoor responded to our times by creating works that focus on the essence of painting. The large-scale painting The world trembles when I retrieve from my ancient past what I need to live in the depths of myself (2020) depicts a scene from a volcanic eruption rendered in crimson red—reminiscent of blood. The bold, sweeping brushstrokes painted in intense red allude to both the life force and mortality of human bodies, evoking various physical risk factors that we are susceptible to and thus connoting our vulnerability. Similarly, massive, energetic sculptures installed at the center of each gallery space captivate the audience by provoking a dramatic and intense response. Covered with thick layers of red and black paint, these sculptures are created with a mixture of waxes, acrylics, and fabrics, appearing quite different from the artist’s signature sculptures characterized by polished and reflective surfaces. The five sculptures installed in the Upper Gallery, for instance, evoke blood-stained organs, intestines, and body tissues, highlighting the vulnerability of the human body. Furthermore, Kapoor refers to numerous art historical paintings that depict violence, such as the flagellation of martyrs, the beheading of saints, and the atrocities of war. By continuing the traditions of painting and sculpture that harken back to the Renaissance, Kapoor places his work within a broader art historical context. In April, select works from Anish Kapoor: Painting will travel to the artist’s upcoming solo exhibition in Venice, scheduled to take place at Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Palazzo Manfrin, in conjunction with the 59th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale.