Antony Gormley (United Kingdom, 1950) is a British sculptor celebrated for his exploration of the human form and its relationship to space. Known for iconic works like Angel of the North and Another Place, Gormley often uses his own body as a template. His sculptures challenge perceptions of identity, presence, and the environment.
EtchingEtching is a technique where a design is created on a metal surface by using a strong acid or mordant to eat away the unprotected parts of the metal, leaving the desired pattern in relief (intaglio). In modern art and manufacturing, different chemicals may be used depending on the material being etched.
Antony Gormley (United Kingdom, 1950) is a British sculptor celebrated for his exploration of the human form and its relationship to space. Known for iconic works like Angel of the North and Another Place, Gormley often uses his own body as a template. His sculptures challenge perceptions of identity, presence, and the environment.
I'm trying to make work that is reflective and is encouraging of reflection.
- Antony Gormley
As a sculptor, almost all of Antony Gormley’s works take the human body as its subject – many works make use of his own body, or that of his friends, as the basis for metal casts. Gormley has described his work as ‘an attempt to materialise the place at the other side of appearance where we all live’ - his Event Horizon piece featured 31 separate life-sized and anatomically correct casts of his body – four in iron and 27 in fiberglass – situated along the tops of buildings along London’s South Bank, and later installed around Madison Square in New York City; of these works, Gormley has stated that they may encourage individuals to ‘reassess their own position in the world’ and become aware of their ‘status of embedment’. Among other notable works is the Angel of The North, a public steel sculpture situated in Gateshead, United Kingdom – the sculpture measures at 66ft tall with wings measuring 177ft across. (Artist website)
Environmental art is a collective term that refers to a wide range of artistic practices and works that engage with historical and ecological themes. The term often encompasses ecological concerns, although it is not exclusively defined by them. Environmental art acknowledges and appreciates the early history of the environmental art movement, including works with activist themes and those celebrating the connection between nature and the artist through the use of natural materials.