Born in Bristol, England, Richard Long studied at the West of England College of Art and later at Saint Martin's School of Art in London. He emerged as a key figure in the conceptual and land art movements of the late 1960s, gaining early recognition for his 1967 work A Line Made by Walking, which established his lifelong focus on the relationship between human movement and the environment.

Long’s practice centers on the act of walking as a creative medium, often resulting in site-specific installations composed of natural materials such as slate, flint, or river mud. His work frequently utilizes geometric forms—most notably circles and lines—to impose a human order upon the raw, expansive landscapes he traverses during his long-distance treks.

His influence remains significant within the contemporary art world, with his works held in major international collections. He continues to be represented by prominent galleries, including Lisson Gallery, which maintains his presence in global exhibition programming and major international art fairs.