Before committing to art, Serra studied literature at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara. He later pursued painting at Yale University, graduating in 1964. During this period, he began experimenting with unconventional materials like rubber and lead, exploring their physical properties. His "Verb List" from 1967-68 systematically catalogued actions such as "to roll," "to crease," and "to splash," which he then applied to various substances.

Serra became celebrated for his monumental steel sculptures, often designed for specific sites. These vast, curving plates of Cor-Ten steel invited viewers to walk through them, altering their perception of space and gravity. His work questioned the conventional boundaries of sculpture, moving it beyond pedestal-bound objects into environmental experiences. Each piece encouraged a physical interaction, making the viewer's movement and perspective integral to understanding the art.