Do you have a favourite artist? That question may be very hard to answer. Not only because there are countless artists around the world, also because art can take countless forms. But different artists create different artworks, different artworks create different feelings, and feelings are experienced differently by everyone. So, can this question be answered? Personally, I can’t.
Sculpture was never a form of art that I had a great passion for. I didn’t know how to create unique sculptures, so I was never that interested in learning more about them. That was, until I came across the work of Antony Gormley. His works of art inspired me from a young age, made me experiment with different materials, create my own sculptures and appreciate that form of art.
http://www.antonygormley.com/sculpture/series
Gormley mostly works with human figures. Probably that is what immediately grabbed my attention, since bodies and human figures are what I enjoy experimenting with the most when I create art. What is the most significant thing about Gormley, is the unique ways in which he uses materials such as wire, wood, plastic, concrete, iron and more, making his works extraordinary.
Gormley works with the human figure since he believes that the body always holds the most exceptional part of our soul. Inspired from the Ancient Greece, he is attempting to configure a representation of the gods in their human form. Even though his inspiration comes from Greek sculptures which are thought to be representing a ‘perfect image’, his works look nothing like them. He is giving human forms unique weaknesses and flaws, just like every human body has.
What I really enjoy with his sculptures is how different they might look based on their different angles. Because of the fact that the human figures he creates are not realistic but free of interpretation, everyone can view them and perceive them in a different way. You might not recognise their human form when looking from very close. Some large body figure installations, may be understood as human figures only if they are being watched from miles away.
And when I thought that Gormley’s art works could not get any better, I came across his permanent works of art. A series of sculptures, created not for exhibitions or shows, but for specific locations all around the world. All series are different, but my favourite is ‘Another place’ (1997). Spread in an area of 2.5 kilometres down the coast, 1 kilometre out to the sea on Crosby Beach UK, this work of art is created by iron sculptures, all made by Gormley’s self made casts.
As every artist tries to challenge him self, this work was made to test time and tide, stillness and movement. At the same time, it was a work of art that was aiming to somehow engage and connect with the daily life of the specific area. Interaction is one of the most significant things a work of art can achieve. Being able to walk by the sculptures, view them closely and touch them is very important. I love how these works of art have come to be a permanent part of that location.
Want to see Gormley’s works of Art Live? Here is a list of all of his permanent works around UK:
- Witness (2011) British Library, London, UK
- Transport (2011) Canterbury Cathedral, UK
- Another time (2009) Exeter College, Oxford, UK
- You (2005) Roundhouse, London, UK
- Another Place (2005) Crosby Beach, Merseyside,UK
- Resolution (2005) Shoe Lane, London, UK.
- Planets (2002) British Library, UK.
- Reflection (2001) Euston Road, London, UK.
- Quantum Cloud (2000) Greenwich Penisula, London, UK
- Angel of North (1995) Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, UK
- Iron Man (1993) Victoria Square, Birmingham, UK
- Sound II (1986) Winchester Cathedral, Winchester, UK
Sighh … no idea what happened: one moment I was typing a lengthy Comment and the next I was out on a limb(o) somewhere. Bugger. Here goes again.
I can easily see why you’re in love with this bloke’s work! I think the gallery full of ghostly figures – which surely must be the gods?! – is utterly brilliant.
I’m no artist, but by ALL the gods (as is my habit to say), Gormley’s one out of the box.
Thank you for visiting! More art posts to come!
Best, Elli
Wow! His works are breathtaking! – Fawn
I totally agree! Thank you for visiting
Best,Elli
I love Gormley, but I’m interested now in seeing your sculpture… or was that a while ago? Nicola http://islingtonfacesblog.com
Well it was a while ago but i am definitely going to do a couple of posts with my own sculpture and mixed media works!
Thank you for your comment
Best, Elli
Thanks for the follow. Reciprocated. 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Hey Elli, your blog is fantastic! a very inspiring take on art, thank goodness for school projects and teachers forcing us to dip into the blogging world, right : )
I’m not sure whether you accept nominations, but I have listed you amongst my top ten blogs for the Liebster Award. If you’d like to contribute, here’s the link http://lincathleon.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/liebster-award/
have a wonderful day, LC
Hello, thank you so much for your comment! Also thanks for the nomination! I will definitely take a look at the link! Have a great day 🙂 Elli
Hey there, thank you for supporting my healing with spinal injury. I really love your work and feel that we have a connection. I’ll be following you too, keep up the great job 🙂
Your friend,
Lucas 😉
http://www.leveluphealth.wordpress.com
I will definitely keep up with your posts!
As will I with yours 🙂
I went all the way to Liverpool just to see the iron sculptures on the beach, much to the amazement of the locals hanging around the train station and local shops. Maybe they have just stopped being the observing? It was worth it as you don’t truly grasp their size until you are standing next to them and observing the barnacles and rusty surfaces.
I am also planning to go to Liverpool for that reason! thanks for commenting! elli
Wonderful. I love the figures standing in the sea.
Me too! Thanks for commenting
My Favorite artist….hmmmmm….as a small kid it was Jim Henson.
Thanks for commenting! 🙂
“Art in Everything”… wish i had more time to browse the bloggosphere, but v. nice coming by your site. Love the title. I’ll be a devotee of that.
Thank you very much! Best, Elli
Thanks for following me. I like your pictures here .Art of Humans;)
Thanks a lot
Your welcome 🙂
I have always been impressed by his Angel of the North. Stunning!
Thanks a lot 😉
This is so cool!
Thanks Melissa!!
I love Gormley’s work! Loved reading your post, I have seen most of the works you have listed.
Will read more, keep posting.
Thanks a lot 🙂
Anthony Gormley – I’m a fan too… Living in NZ I haven’t got to see ‘ Another place’ but have visualised it so often… inspired , haunting, moving… all those things – and I haven’t even seen it !!!!
Thank you for your comment!
I’ve always been a 2D visual artist but have also deeply admired sculpture without venturing into it.
Thank you for your comment!
I love everything Gormley does. And thanks for following my Spanish blog. You might like my writing blog too, I talk a little about art and creativity there. SD
http://www.sandradanby.com/
Thank you for commenting