The artist and his work
Richard Serra, a renowned American minimalist sculptor, died this Tuesday at his residence on Long Island, near New York, at the age of 85. His death was caused by pneumonia, according to his lawyer, John Silberman, as reported by The New York Times. Serra is known for his large-format sculptures and installations, and is considered one of the most important avant-garde artists of the 20th century.
Born in California in 1938, Richard Serra is recognized worldwide for working with monumental steel pieces. He studied in Paris and settled in New York during the 60s, when he published a manifesto and created one of his most important works, ‘One ton prop (House of Cards)’. This work consists of four 122 cm square lead plates that are balanced by their own weight, creating a structure similar to a house of cards.
Recognition and outstanding works
Richard Serra’s career has been acclaimed in the best museums and collections in the world. He was awarded the Order of Arts and Letters of Spain in 2008 and the Prince of Asturias Prize for the Arts in 2010. His monumental works have transformed space and form, and many cities have competed to have one of his sculptures.
The work ‘The Wall’ in Barcelona stands out, consisting of two semi-circles of two-metre white wall that integrate into the square. In addition, his sculptural group ‘The Matter of Time’ at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the ‘Inclined Arch’ installation at Manhattan’s Federal Square are other examples of his impactful work.
It should be noted that the sculpture ‘Equal-Parallel-Guernica-Bengazi’, which Serra had created for the inauguration of the Museu Nacional Center d’Art Reina Sofia in Madrid in 1986, was considered lost in 2006. However, the ‘artist created a free duplicate that can be seen in the museum’s permanent exhibition since 2009.
An unforgettable artistic legacy
Richard Serra’s death has been mourned by many, and the Guggenheim Museum has highlighted that his monumental works have changed our perception of space and form. The artist leaves an unforgettable artistic legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
