Richard Long was born in Bristol in 1945 and studied art at the West of England College of Art before moving to London in 1966 to study at the St Martin’s School of Art. It was here that Long started to explore the concept of making art whilst interacting with nature.
Instead of making sculpture from traditional materials and with traditional techniques, Long began to make sculpture with his own body simply by walking, and recording these walks in the form of photographs. Since then he has travelled the world making walks in remote areas including the Sahara, the Andes, the Himalayas and the Scottish Highlands.
Sometimes Long creates sculptures on his walks, picking up stones or sticks and laying them in lines or circles. These works are temporary and the work is recorded by photography. Long also uses text to document some of his works, recording thoughts, locations, materials and experiences relating to the walk. In the 1970s he began picking up stones on the walks and then installing them in Gallery settings.
Long’s work is based on a deep affinity with nature and his relationship and understanding of the space and materials in the surrounding environment.
