A famous sculptor nicknamed “the poet of iron” passed away on Tuesday, March 26 at the age of 85.
Artist Richard Serra has created large-scale paintings in steel, creating sweeping curves from a curtain that doesn’t seem to lend itself to form. Serra’s paintings would astonish observers by the ambition of his projects and the sheer length of the sculptures.
His paintings have been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan, the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco, and the Museum of Country Art in Los Angeles.
READ MORE: Hudson Valley Museums to Visit
Most citizens of the Hudson Valley will be familiar with Serra’s paintings because of his sculpture “Torqued Ellipse,” which is permanently installed in Dia: Beacon. Even if you haven’t noticed it in person, you’ve certainly noticed the large curved metal that appears on your social media feeds through friends and family who have visited.
“[T]he ellipses of the Dia Art Foundation in Beacon, N. Y. , have a reliable place for momentary rendezvous, an ideal backdrop for cultured flirtation,” noted New York Times art critic Jason Farago in his memoir about Serra.
In addition to “Torqued Ellipse,” Dia is home to “Union of the Torus and the Sphere,” which almost looks like a 37-foot-tall leaning nave that stretches almost from floor to ceiling. Serra’s “Elevational Wedge” works with the sloped terrain of the Dia to produce a flat plane. “Scatter Piece” is a sculpture made of rubber latex, steel rods, and rubber-covered wires, placed on the floor of the museum. Serra also has a painting at Dia’s titled “Consequence”; It features two painted linen ones designed to be hung in an express location in the museum.
Dia is the only art museum in the Hudson Valley to showcase Serra’s work space: Stormville’s Storm King Arts Center presents “Schunnemunk Fork. “Serra designed the sculpture to adhere to the topographical features of Storm King’s terrain, according to the museum’s website.
Correction: This article said that the carvings in Serra at Dia were made of iron. This has been corrected to imply that they are made of steel.
Gallery Credit: Allison Kay
Artist Richard Serra has created large-scale works in steel.
Learn More
A famous sculptor nicknamed “the poet of iron” passed away on Tuesday, March 26 at the age of 85.
Artist Richard Serra has created large-scale paintings in steel, creating sweeping curves from a curtain that doesn’t seem to lend itself to form. Serra’s paintings would astonish observers by the ambition of his projects and the sheer length of the sculptures.
His paintings have been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan, the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco, and the Museum of Country Art in Los Angeles.
READ MORE: Hudson Valley Museums to Visit
Most citizens of the Hudson Valley will be familiar with Serra’s paintings because of his sculpture “Torqued Ellipse,” which is permanently installed in Dia: Beacon. Even if you haven’t noticed it in person, you’ve certainly noticed the large curved metal that appears on your social media feeds through friends and family who have visited.
“[T]he ellipses of the Dia Art Foundation in Beacon, N. Y. , have a reliable place for momentary rendezvous, an ideal backdrop for cultured flirtation,” noted New York Times art critic Jason Farago in his memoir about Serra.
In addition to “Torqued Ellipse,” Dia is home to “Union of the Torus and the Sphere,” which almost looks like a 37-foot-tall leaning nave and stretches almost from floor to ceiling. Serra’s “Elevational Wedge” works with the sloped terrain of the Dia to produce a flat plane. “Scatter Piece” is a sculpture made of rubber latex, steel rods, and rubber-covered wires, placed on the floor of the museum. Serra also has a painting at Dia’s titled “Consequence”; It features two painted linen ones designed to be hung in an express location in the museum.
Dia is the only art museum in the Hudson Valley to showcase Serra’s work space: Stormville’s Storm King Arts Center presents “Schunnemunk Fork. “Serra designed the sculpture to adhere to the topographical features of Storm King’s terrain, according to the museum’s website.
Correction: This article said that the carvings in Serra at Dia were made of iron. This has been corrected to imply that they are made of steel.