Staring intently, hands draped with gunk, a ladder poised next to one of the huge canvasses behind him, Richard Long looked to have taken on a slightly shamanistic position as his new works – travelling to picturesque Cumbria as part of the Artist Rooms pilgrimage – went on show at Abbot Hall.
Understandable really, as the revered sculptor and nature lover reveals new works including River Avon Mud Slow Circle and Cornish State Ellipse, trademark trails through terrain from the artist who has spent the past 50-odd years following river sources, stone patterns and geographical lines across continents.
"My art is about working in the wide world," he says.
"On the surface of the earth my outdoor sculptures and walking locations are not subject to possession and ownership.
"I like the fact that roads and mountains are common, public land."
More pictures from the show:
