10 Facts About Antony Gormley
Image © Herman Verheij, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Exposure © Antony Gormley 2010
Antony Gormley, a celebrated British sculptor, has gained widespread recognition for his expansive body of work, predominately consisting of large-scale installations situated in site-specific public spaces. In his formative years, Gormley was exposed to Catholicism through his attendance at a boarding school, which played a significant role in shaping his upbringing. As an artist, one of Gormley’s remarkable talents lies in his capacity to transcend the specificities of Catholic devotional practices and imbue his works with a universal quality. This ability to tap into the devotional impulses inherent in Catholicism continues to influence and inform his artistic perspective and approach. Below are 10 facts about the artist:
Image © Xavier Hufkens / Antony GormleyGormley was born in London
Antony Mark David Gormley was born on August 30, 1950, in London, England. In interviews, Gormley stated that his parents chose his initials “AMDG” as an acronym for Ad maiorem Dei gloriam – “to the greater glory of God.”
Image: Cmglee, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Free Object © Antony Gormley 2017Gormley is well educated
Gormley studied archaeology, anthropology, and the history of art at Trinity College, Cambridge, before moving on to study at Central Saint Martins and the Slade School of Fine Art. These universities provide rigorous curricula, which have undoubtedly shaped his approach to his art.
Domain © Antony Gormley 2005Gormley has an interest in spirituality
Before pursuing an art career, Gormley travelled and studied Buddhism in India and Sri Lanka. He has referred to this time as crucial in his decision to become an artist upon his return to the United Kingdom.
Untitled © Antony Gormley 1985He views the body as a place, not an object
Gormley's work predominantly explores the human body and its relationship to space, often using his own body as a template for his sculptures.
Fields for the British Isles © Antony Gormley 1994His work Angel of the North is seen by an estimated 33 million people each year
One of Gormley's most infamous works is Angel of the North, a large-scale steel sculpture in Gateshead, England. The work was completed in 1998 and stands 20 metres tall with a wingspan of 54 metres, and its close proximity to Highway A1 guarantees a vast number of viewers each year.
Clearing VII © Antony Gormley 2019He was awarded the Turner Prize in 1994
Gormley was awarded the prestigious Turner Prize in 1994 for his work Field for the British Isles, a large-scale installation comprising over 40,000 small terracotta figures.
The Origin Of Drawing III © Antony Gormley 2008He has been called Britain’s most famous sculptor
Gormley is hugely influential in the British contemporary art world and is widely considered the most famous sculptor in the national arts scene.
Image: Biggyre, CC 4.0>, via Wikimedia CommonsHe has been the subject of several major international exhibitions at renowned museums
Gormley's work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums worldwide, including the Tate Gallery in London, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. He is one of the most widely recognised living British artists.
During the 2020 pandemic, he taught a print-making masterclass on the BBC
During lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Gormley made a film for the BBC series, Get Creative at Home, in which he talked the audience through all the necessary steps to create one of his prints.
He was awarded a knighthood in 2014
In addition to the Turner Prize, Gormley received numerous accolades, including an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1997. In the 2014 New Year's Honours, he received a knighthood for his services to the arts.
