Circle in Africa
- Artist: Richard Long CBE
- Date: 1978
- Medium: Photograph, black and white, on paper
- Dimensions: unconfirmed: 820 x 1120 mm
- Museum: Tate Modern
- Collection record: Tate Modern website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is “Circle in Africa” by Richard Long, captured in 1978. The black‑and‑white photograph shows a complete circle of burnt cactus branches neatly arranged on a rocky slope in Malawi. Long was walking across the Mulanje Mountain when he discovered a pile of charred wood and, unable to find stones, chose the local material to honor the idea of a circle. In his own words, he kept the geometric concept while adapting the medium to the surroundings—an opportunistic approach that underscores his practice of documenting walks in nature. The image juxtaposes the human‑made shape against the untamed landscape, hinting at the timeless, universal appeal he sees in circles. Long’s work often links simple geometry with natural elements, and this piece exemplifies that dialogue between art, environment, and the act of walking.
See it in person
Circle in Africa is in the collection of Tate Modern on Bankside, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
