London’s artists constantly amaze the world with their incredible creations. The city, in turn, provides numerous opportunities to reveal and demonstrate the talents of its residents. Many local art faculties allow you to get knowledge and skills even in the narrowest and specific directions. In such places as Tate Modern, contemporary artists display the world’s most famous paintings and installations. The impressive sculptures by local artists make London even more unique. However, these objects reveal the story of the person who create them. That relates to Antony Gormley as well. What is his life story and why is the sculptor famous all over the world? Learn more at ilondon.
Early years and passion passed down from the father
The future sculptor Antony Gormley was born in London on August 30, 1950. At that time, the city had already recovered from the war but needed people to restore its zest for life. Then future artists didn’t even imagine the importance of their role in the development of many spheres. Antony’s family had seven children. In general, the boy’s childhood was happy. Most children of that time would like to have the boy’s life conditions. His father was a wealthy man of Irish descent. So, Antony Gormley grew up in prosperity. He inherited a passion for art from his father and connected his life with creativity.
In 1968, Antony entered Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied archaeology, anthropology and art history. After graduating from this educational institution, he began the most important journey, which resulted in the creation of unique sculptures. Antony spent several years in India, where he devoted a lot of attention to finding information about Buddhism. After returning to England, he created his first artwork called Sleeping Place. The sculpture resembled the Indian wrapped in saris or dhotis. Antony Gormley sought further development in this particular direction of art. So, in 1979, he completed a postgraduate course at the Slade School of Fine Art.
First professional successes and world popularity
The first important event that contributed to the development of the sculptor’s creative potential was the exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery in 1981. His artworks were interesting and original. They were made of various materials. The sculptor laid down certain meanings in each of them. Later, Antony Gormley focused on the human body. Sculptures, dedicated to exploring the body as space, began to appear in various cities of Great Britain. For a long time, they remained the main feature of the author’s creative activity. Materials for their creation also differed. Iron was the most common. The sculptor’s work includes both solid and voided bodies. The latter really makes you stop for a few minutes and consider the role of a person in this world. The artist even made casts of his own body to create many of his sculptures.
The sculptor’s popularity gradually grew. His work became known not only in Great Britain but also in other countries of the world. In 2015, the sculptor presented a number of his cast iron works in Florence. In the same year, his first sculpture was installed in New Zealand. In 2019, the NEON Organisation commissioned a series of iron sculptures by Antony Gormley. They were installed on the island of Delos. In general, the sculptor’s works are really worth seeing. They mesmerise and allow you to go deep into your thoughts.