A large-scale Joel Shapiro sculpture that was recently taken apart at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., has reportedly been purchased by former center chairman David Rubenstein.
According to reporting cited by the New York Times, the 24-foot work, titled Blue, is expected to be installed later in the sculpture garden of the National Gallery of Art. The reported price tag exceeds $2 million.
The blue, stick-figure-like piece had been on display at the Kennedy Center since 2019, when Shapiro donated it to the institution. Rubenstein was chairman at the time, before later being removed from the role in 2025 amid a broader leadership shift.
Shapiro, regarded as a key figure in post-Minimalist sculpture, died in 2025. The removal of Blue has drawn attention from artists and curators, while the center has not publicly detailed the reason for taking it down.
As the work moves toward a new public setting, the story highlights how major sculptures can continue their journey across institutions and audiences, shaping the future of urban art access.
