The Saint Louis Art Museum announced that a portion of the landmark exhibition "Anselm Kiefer: Becoming the Sea" will remain on display in its Sculpture Hall through Spring 2027. The installation features five monumental, three-story paintings—including "Missouri, Mississippi," "Lumpeguin, Cigwe, Animiki," and "Am Rhein"—that were among the most popular pieces of the exhibition, which drew around 150,000 visitors during its 14-week run. The extension was prompted by strong public turnout and the artist's personal connection to the space.
The decision matters because it offers an unusually long viewing period for major works by a living artist, reflecting both the museum's commitment to public access and the enduring appeal of Kiefer's large-scale, gold-leafed paintings. The display has already generated significant media coverage, including a CBS Sunday Morning segment and features in Forbes, Observer, and Hyperallergic. By keeping the installation free and accessible, the museum reinforces its role as a cultural anchor in St. Louis and provides a rare opportunity for sustained engagement with contemporary art.