US sculptor Richard Serra wins Spain’s Prince of Asturias arts award

Sculptor Serra wins Spanish Asturias award

MADRID — U.S. sculptor Richard Serra, renowned for his large-scale metal structures, has been named the winner of Spain’s prestigious Prince of Asturias award in the arts for his innovative ability to integrate urban spaces in his work, organizers said.

The Prince of Asturias Foundation described Serra Wednesday as one of the “most relevant sculptors of the second half of the 20th century” and said his minimalist works were of “great visual power that are an invitation to reflection and wonder.”

Born in San Francisco in 1939, Serra has displayed his work in the most important museums in Europe, America and Asia and is present in some of the most respected public and private collections worldwide, the foundation added.

His pieces, including site-specific sculptures, use industrial materials such as lead, steel and concrete. Among his most celebrated works include “Snake” in the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain and “Clara-Clara” in Paris.

“I am very honored to be the recipient of the Prince of Asturias Award,” Serra said in a statement posted on the foundation’s Web site.

“The award is particularly meaningful to me in that the country of Spain has offered me many great opportunities to realize my work for over three decades.”

Serra has been granted numerous honorary university doctorates and awards in Europe, the United States and elsewhere.

The Prince of Asturias Foundation announced the prize in the northern city of Oviedo. The foundation is named for Spain’s Crown Prince Felipe.

It hands out eight awards each year in categories including literature, communications, sports and scientific research. They are presented by the crown prince each fall in Oviedo.

Each prize includes a €50,000 ($63,000) cash award and a sculpture by Joan Miro.

Previous arts award winners include British architect Norman Foster in 2009 and Bob Dylan in 2007.