Qatar Museums honours renowned artist Richard Serra

Qatar Museums (QM) is honouring renowned American artist Richard Serra posthumously, following his passing on March 26 in New York at the age of 85.

In a statement shared on its social media platforms, QM expressed its profound condolences to Serra's family and the wider artistic community, mourning the loss of an influential figure.

QM highlighted its collaboration with Serra, celebrated globally for his monumental sculptures, as it cited the significance of his contributions to Qatar’s cultural landscape.

QM had worked closely with Serra on several projects, including the creation of “7”, a large-scale steel sculpture situated at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park. Unveiled in 2011, “7 marked Serra’s inaugural public artwork in the Middle East, showcasing his mastery of form and space.

In 2014, QM unveiled another monumental installation by Serra titled “East-West/West-East”, located near Zekreet in western Qatar. Coinciding with the opening was Serra’s first solo exhibition in the Middle East, titled “Richard Serra”, held at the Al Riwaq Doha Exhibition Space and QM Gallery at Katara.

Stretching for more than a kilometre, the awe-inspiring artwork at Brouq Nature Reserve is composed of four steel plates, each standing tall at over 14m in height.

Serra meticulously studied the topography of the land to ensure flawless alignment, skillfully enhancing the vast, desolate space within the desert’s heart. QM described the outcome as “The result is spectacular and although contemporary, timeless”. “East-West/West-East” captures the essence of Serra's five-decade-long career, showcasing his evolution as an artist.

According to QM, the legacy of Serra in Qatar’s cultural scene is profound, with his sculptures joining other iconic artworks like Louise Bourgeois’ “Maman” and eL Seed’s Calligraffiti project. QM chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani acknowledged Serra’s significant contributions, portraying him as a “true giant of the art world” whose lasting influence will endure through his works across Qatar’s landscape.