Richard Serra

American, 1938-2024

Richard Serra is an American sculptor known for his massive abstract steel installations that explore balance, scale, and viewer experience. Often linked to Minimalism, his work emphasizes material and form over symbolism. Born in San Francisco, Serra was introduced to metalwork through his father’s job in a shipyard and his own time working in steel mills. He earned a BA in English literature from the University of California, followed by BFA and MFA degrees from Yale in 1964. 

In the late 1960s, Serra began working with industrial materials like lead and fiberglass. His Splash series (1968) began his long association with the Leo Castelli Gallery. In 1969, he was featured in the exhibtion Nine Young Artists at the Guggenheim and the following year, at the Pasadena Art Museum. Though briefly involved in land art, Serra focused primarily on urban installations and abstract compositions.

His work has been exhibited globally, with major shows at the Musée National d’Art Moderne in Paris and MoMA in New York. He has received numerous honors, including election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Praemium Imperiale from the Japan Art Association. Serra’s work continues to challenge perceptions of abstract art, securing his place as one of the most influential sculptors of the postwar era.