About six months ago, a scientific research company created what they claim to be “the blackest black acrylic paint.”

It Takes Two by Steven Miller Painting, Oil on Canvas 42.0 inch x 42.0 inch $5,850

The paint, called Vantablack S-VIS, is made from tubes grown on a substrate. The company who created it, licensed it exclusively to modern artist Anish Kapoor, meaning that only he can use the “blackest black” paint. And that should have been the end of the story.

Girl with Veil by Carolyn Schlam Painting, Oil on Canvas 30.0 inch x 24.0 inch $2,270

After learning of this exclusive deal, some members of the art world were outraged, insisting that everyone should have access to the paint. One artist in particular, London’s Stuart Semple, was especially upset.

LIMITLESS II by Michele Morata Painting, Oil on Canvas 36.0 inch x 48.0 inch $2,700

Semple had a history of mixing and selling his own paints, and once he learned of Kapoor’s paint color monopoly, he was furious. Semple created a GoFundMe to create the “pinkest pink ever” and successfully raised enough money to create it, vowing that it would be available for everyone to buy, except for Kapoor.

Rain by Rinalds Vanadzins Painting, Acrylic on Canvas 27.5 inch x 23.6 inch $1,700

Now how do you enforce that? If you want to purchase the “pinkest pink” online, you have to make a legal declaration that “you are not Anish Kapoor, you are in no way affiliated to Anish Kapoor [and] you are not purchasing this item on behalf of Anish Kapoor or an associate of Anish Kapoor.”

RETRO – Modern Abstact Painting by Rich Moyers Painting, Acrylic on Canvas 18.0 inch x 14.0 inch (19.6 inch x 15.6 inch framed) $1,500

However, Kapoor still managed to get his hands on some of the pinkest pink paint and posted a photo of it, tagging Semple, enraging him. Semple has also recently opened an art store in London, where Kapoor has, of course, been banned.

Bad boys move in silence by Laurent Proneur Painting, Oil on Canvas 48.0 inch x 36.0 inch $29,900

This story is wild and full of twists and turns, but so is the world of modern art. Kapoor and Semple are both talented artists, and these antics are certainly eye-catching. Whether you think the drama is funny, sad, petty, or even justified, we all can agree that art is always something interesting to experience.

The Battle by Hildegarde Handsaeme Painting, Acrylic on Canvas 100.1 inch (254.3 cm) x 80.0 inch (203.2 cm) $8,400

Whether you enjoy a painting created with the pinkest of pinks or the blackest of blacks, Zatista is a great source for growing your art collection. Skip the contractual paint drama, and select from our countless works of original art from artists all around the world. Enjoy!