In a melding of artistic innovation and public space, Gerhard Richter, the venerable German artist, has unveiled his latest creation—a towering monument inspired by his groundbreaking ‘Strip Paintings’ series—at Serpentine South in Kensington Gardens. At the age of 92, Richter continues to push the boundaries of his craft, exploring new mediums and concepts while building upon his storied legacy.
The genesis of Richter’s newest sculpture lies in his ‘Strip Paintings’ series, which he commenced in 2010. These works represented a departure from conventional painting techniques, as Richter manipulated a digitally altered photograph of his earlier piece, Abstract Painting 724-4 (1990), into thousands of slender vertical strips. These strips were then reassembled horizontally behind perspex, resulting in a transformative reinterpretation of the original image—a marriage of preservation and metamorphosis.
The essence of continual reflection, rearrangement, and repetition of simple units to generate infinite potential patterns permeates Richter’s oeuvre. This theme was notably explored in his 2008 exhibition, “4900 Colours,” at Serpentine, where Gerhard Richter employed chance elements to compose vibrant grid formations from brightly coloured tiles. The inspiration for this approach stemmed from Richter’s design for the south transept window of Cologne Cathedral, replaced in 2007 with 11,500 glass squares in 72 hues, following its destruction during World War II.
Serpentine, renowned for integrating verdant surroundings with innovative public artworks, has a rich history of hosting notable exhibitions in collaboration with The Royal Parks. From the inflatable and kinetic sculptures of Blow Up ’71 to Anish Kapoor’s Sky Mirrors in 2010 and Christo’s monumental installation, The London Mastaba, in 2018, the space has served as a dynamic canvas for artistic expression.
“‘Strip-Tower’ represents a three-dimensional embodiment of Richter’s enduring themes and methodologies in painting—repetition, improvisation, and chance,” remarked Serpentine’s CEO Bettina Korek and artistic director Hans Ulrich Obrist in a joint press statement. The sculpture serves as a testament to Richter’s iconic contributions to contemporary art while offering viewers a tangible manifestation of his celebrated aesthetic principles.
Richter’s monumental sculpture not only enriches the cultural landscape of Kensington Gardens but also invites contemplation on the intersections of art, nature, and public engagement. As visitors converge to experience this latest addition to Richter’s illustrious body of work, they are invited to embark on a journey of exploration and introspection, guided by the artist’s unwavering commitment to innovation and expression.