Sculptor, photographer and painter, Richard Long, interacts with nature and the landscape, forging his own conceptions of the relationship between people and their environment. In this book he presents a "mini-retrospective" of his walks, sculptures and conceptual works, charting his development and his current preoccupations. Some 100 records in photographs and text of his walks and installations from 1967 to 1997 form the heart of the book; the introduction by Alison Sleeman gives a concise account of Long's career and an assessment of his work; and in an interview, Long talks about his ideas, working methods and sources of inspiration.

Richard Long is one of the most influential artists of our time. His innovative, beautiful and thought-provoking work can be seen in museums all over the world. Born in 1945, Long is a pioneer of Land Art. His art has its origins in walking: his works of the 1960s record the walks, while subsequent works, made in predominantly remote and wilderness landscapes, use simple, natural materials such as stones, sticks and water. Employing the universal forms of lines, circles and spirals, his art speaks of man's relationship with the natural world. This book, designed in collaboration with the artist, focuses primarily on work he has made in the past decade. It includes a selection of photographic and text works, mud and China clay drawings, and works made on driftwood and found objects. It also documents some of his recent, major projects.

This book by and about the sculptor and pioneer land artist Richard Long explores his work from the 1990s to the present day. Long's ability to make works of physical and intellectual beauty in both outdoor and indoor spaces is unrivaled, and the journey covered here takes the reader around the world: to the Sahara Desert and down the Rio Grande, from coast to coast in Ireland and Spain, to Tierra del Fuego and Mongolia, and to the forests of Honshu in Japan. Some of the artist's sculptures were made during his walks through the world's landscapes, while others bring the materials of nature—stones, boulders, driftwood, clay, and mud—into museums, galleries, houses, and gardens. These works feed the senses, whereas the texts and photographs recording the artist's walks feed the imagination. Majestic museum pieces made from tons of rock are juxtaposed with dramatic mud works and photographs recording ephemeral sculptures often made in the remote wilderness. Most of the photographs were taken by the artist himself, and the book also includes his notes and writings. If walking has become Long's trademark, the path is perhaps the central image or archetype in his work. The idea of the path or way has meaning in all cultures—from the most material to the most spiritual. It is both real and symbolic, whether it is a life, a road, or the Taoist "Great Way." With his walks, Richard Long weaves a line through many traditions, creating an art that is both timeless and universal. 248 illustrations in color and duotone.