Anish Kapoor’s Immersive New Exhibition Opens at Hayward Gallery

Anish Kapoor, the internationally acclaimed artist, has unveiled a significant new exhibition at London’s Hayward Gallery, marking his first major show at the venue in 28 years. Titled “Blinded by Eyes, Butchered by Birth,” the exhibition, which opened on June 16, 2026, showcases a collection of monumental new works designed to challenge viewers’ perceptions of reality, space, and their own physical presence.

Kapoor, a Turner Prize laureate, is known for his profound exploration of scale and its impact on the viewer. He posits that scale is not merely about size, but about meaning and the emotional and physical reactions it can provoke. This exhibition at the Brutalist architecture of the Hayward Gallery provides a dramatic backdrop for his new pieces, which are described as squeezing, dripping, and disorienting within the gallery’s spaces.

Monumental Scale and Perception

Upon entering the exhibition, visitors are immediately confronted by a vast, red, inflated PVC membrane that dominates the six-meter-high space. This installation is designed to make the viewer feel small, compelling them to navigate the work’s perimeter in an attempt to grasp its entirety. This physical interaction underscores Kapoor’s interest in how art can alter our sense of self within a given space.

Another striking piece, “Mount Moriah at the Gate of the Ghetto” (2022), hangs impossibly from the ceiling. By subverting the familiar depiction of a mountain, Kapoor draws attention to the act of ritual sacrifice, referencing the biblical story of Abraham. The work is rendered in red, symbolizing the blood that would have flowed had the sacrifice occurred, connecting the artwork to themes of life, death, and raw emotion.

The exhibition delves into Kapoor’s ongoing exploration of ritual, sacrifice, and the inner workings of the human body. Upstairs, metal trays are filled with red silicone forms, evocative of tissue and sinew, with spouts designed to drain the viscous “blood.” These visceral representations of life in its rawest form are central to Kapoor’s artistic practice.

Exploring the Void and Illusion

Kapoor also presents works that engage with the concept of the void, utilizing Vantablack – a material that absorbs 99% of light. Sculptures made with Vantablack create profound optical illusions, making it impossible for the viewer to discern their shape, form, or silhouette. These pieces challenge our reliance on sight, demonstrating how easily our senses can be discombobulated.

Drawing inspiration from artists like Jackson Pollock, Kapoor sees his work as an alchemical transformation, turning earthly materials into something sublime and fundamental to human experience. He aims to place the viewer in a position where “all is possible,” echoing the poet Guillaume Apollinaire’s notion of pushing audiences to the edge.

Key facts

Kapoor’s exhibition at the Hayward Gallery is a significant event for contemporary art enthusiasts and those interested in how architecture and art intersect to create profound viewer experiences. The works challenge our understanding of reality and provoke a powerful, often unsettling, emotional and physical response.

Source: Wallpaper, https://www.wallpaper.com/art/exhibitions-shows/anish-kapoor-hayward-gallery-2026