David Rubenstein, the billionaire philanthropist, has purchased the abstract sculpture “Blue” that was removed from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts grounds last month. Eventually, the Joel Shapiro sculpture will be displayed in the Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery of Art.
Rubenstein, a major arts donor was chair of the Kennedy Center’s board until he was ousted in early 2025 during President Trump’s takeover. He is chair of the board of trustees of the National Gallery.
Since 2019, the aluminum, 24-foot tall stick-figure-like sculpture stood on the grounds of the Reach, an addition to the Kennedy Center that was partly funded by Rubenstein. The sculpture, painted a vivid electric blue, was designed to look like a person mid-kick while dancing on the grass. “In Joel’s mind, it celebrated joy, freedom and creativity,” his daughter Ivy Shapiro said. Mr. Shapiro died in 2025.
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