The man behind the steel sculpture outside Liverpool Street station

Remembering Richard Serra

Inside Fulcrum. Sourced via Creative Commons.

On 26 March the world said goodbye to American sculptor Richard Serra, who died aged 85. He was one of the most influential post-war sculptors and, while you might be thinking you’ve never seen a work by him before, if you live in London there’s a decent chance you’ve walked by one of his sculptures many times without knowing: a piece by Serra called Fulcrum.

In today’s newsletter I’m taking a look at the beauty and surprising playfulness of Fulcrum, and I also explore another of his artworks - a love-it-or-hate-it piece that caused controversy when it was first installed - plus where to see more pieces from his long and varied career in London this month.

Step inside Serra’s steel cocoon for a moment of peacefulness

If you exit Liverpool Street station via the Broadgate entrance, you’re confronted by a 17 metre weathered steel sculpture. Many of you may have seen it used as a meeting point or as a smoking shelter during bad weather: Serra’s Fulcrum’s been serving as both since 1987.