Richard Serra

Biography

Richard Serra (November 2, 1938 – March 26, 2024) was an American artist known for his large-scale abstract sculptures made for site-specific landscape, urban, and architectural settings, whose work has been primarily associated with Postminimalism. Described as "one of his era's greatest sculptors", Serra became notable for emphasizing the material qualities of his works and exploration of the relationship between the viewer, the work, and the site. Serra pursued English literature at the University of California, Berkeley, before shifting to visual art. He graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1961, where he met influential muralists Rico Lebrun and Howard Warshaw. Supporting himself by working in steel mills, Serra's early exposure to industrial materials influenced his artistic trajectory. He continued his education at Yale University, earning a B.A. in Art History and an M.F.A. in 1964. While in Paris on a Yale fellowship in 1964, he befriended composer Philip Glass and explored Constantin Brâncuși's studio, both of which had a strong influence on his work. His time in Europe also catalyzed his subsequent shift from p…

Directed

1. Hand Catching Lead (1968) — Director
2. Hands Scraping (1968) — Director
3. Railroad Turnbridge (1976) — Director
4. Television Delivers People (1973) — Director
5. Boomerang (1974) — Director
6. Color Aid (1971) — Director
7. Frame (1969) — Director
8. Hands Tied (1968) — Director
9. Steelmill/Stahlwerk (1979) — Director
10. Prisoner's Dilemma (1974) — Director
11. Hand Lead Fulcrum (1968) — Director
12. Tina Turning (1969) — Director
13. Paul Revere (1971) — Director
14. Anxious Automation (1971) — Director
15. China Girl (1972) — Director
16. Surprise Attack (1973) — Director
17. Match-Match Their Courage (1974) — Director
18. Veil (1971) — Director

Also appeared in

1. Cremaster 3 (2002) — Hiram Abiff
2. How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr Foster? (2010) — Self
3. Hand Catching Lead (1968) — Himself
4. Here Is Always Somewhere Else (2007) — Himself
5. Hands Scraping (1968)
6. Keep Busy (1975)
7. Color Aid (1971)
8. Kulturplatz (2004) — Self
9. Home Movies 1971-81 (1985)
10. A Film Portrait of Richard Serra (2007)
11. Richard Serra: Man of Steel (2008) — Self
12. On The Wings of Brancusi (2018) — himself
13. Masters of Modern Sculpture Part III: The New World (1978) — himself
14. The MoMA Retrospective: Charlie Rose Interview (2007) — Himself