Caro, Sir Anthony

Caro, Sir Anthony (1924- ), English sculptor, whose large, powerful works are important examples of modern Constructivist and minimal art. Strongly influenced by the American abstract sculptor David Smith during a trip to the United States in 1959, Caro abandoned traditional cast-metal sculpture in favour of a technique involving the construction of abstract works from rigid pieces of metal. His sculptures are large, often massive assemblages of sheet metal, industrial girders, piping, or pieces of steel, welded together. They are either allowed to rust naturally or are painted bright colours as, for example, Midday (1960, T. and P. Caro Collection, London). In a different mode, works such as Riviera (1974, private collection, Seattle) consist of several free-standing metal segments loosely grouped on a floor. As a teacher in London and the United States, Caro strongly influenced younger sculptors.

He is also co-designer of the new Millennium Bridge across the River Thames linking St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern gallery, which was completed in 2000. Caro was awarded a knighthood in 1987, and in 2000 he received the Order of Merit.