Blue sculpture purchased by Rubenstein to join NGA Sculpture Garden

David Rubenstein bought Joel Shapiro's cobalt sculpture 'Blue,' which was dismantled from the Kennedy Center last week, for more than $2 million and plans to display it in the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden, where he serves as board chair. The Kennedy Center removed the piece at its own request amid changes associated with Donald Trump’s administration; the sculpture, a 2019 gift for the Reach expansion, will join NGA works by major artists. Rubenstein is a major donor to Washington cultural institutions, including the Kennedy Center.