Antony Gormley

ROOTER, 2017 - 2019

The ROOTERS have evolved into two typologies: single roots that explore the limbs and torso as singular pathways, and the BRANCHERS, that treat the entire body-zone as an open space to branch into, independent of the torso/extremity relations.

The idea of a root hair that is constantly searching the interstices between sand and rock and loam is about the most tender thing you can find, what allows the system to gather its energy from its environment. I love what a root is as a metaphor but also what it is as a system. Let's thinks of the space of the body as an unknown: we are going to start a three-dimensional exploration, a tendril-like rooting system that feels its way into this bodily darkness and touches the bounding condition, maybe sometimes even breaking through it. That sense of exposing the unknowable to the light is important to me.

I think of these sculptures as traps. These are hooks as much as they are tendrils. They are trying to seek out space, but at the same time, are seeking out your attention. I am hoping that in a contemplative state of mind you can get pleasure just feeling your way around these in-between bits.

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RECEIVE (1/2 SCALE ROOTER) IV, 2017

RECEIVE (1/2 SCALE ROOTER) IV, 2017
Cast iron
97.5 x 71 x 15 cm
Photograph by Stephen White, London

LIFT (1/2 SCALE ROOTER) V, 2017

LIFT (1/2 SCALE ROOTER) V, 2017
Cast iron
120.2 x 24.6 x 17.6 cm
Photograph by Stephen White, London

STAND, 2017

STAND, 2017
Cast iron
193 x 53 x 29 cm
Photograph by Stephen White, London

SWOON, 2017

SWOON, 2017
Cast iron
185.5 x 49 x 37 cm
Photograph by Stephen White, London

TIP, 2017

TIP, 2017
Cast iron
166 x 47.5 x 41 cm
Photograph by Stephen White, London

SIGNAL, 2017

SIGNAL, 2017
Cast iron
189.2 x 51.7 x 36.4 cm
Photograph by Stephen White, London

CHUTE, 2017

CHUTE, 2017
Cast iron
114.1 x 60.5 x 47.9 cm
Photograph by Stephen White, London

SPALL, 2017

SPALL, 2017
Cast iron
115.6 x 128.2 x 106 cm
Photograph by Stephen White, London

BOOST, 2018

BOOST, 2018
Cast iron
180.9 x 48.9 x 33.6 cm
Photograph by Stephen White, London

FALL, 2017

FALL, 2017
Cast iron
67 x 142.5 x 113.6 cm
Photograph by Stephen White, London

CLIMB II, 2018

CLIMB II, 2018
Cast iron
152.5 x 92.5 x 79 cm
Photograph by Stephen White, London
© the artist

STREAM, 2018

STREAM, 2018
Cast iron
131.6 x 192.7 x 65 cm
Installation View
Busan Museum of Art, Korea, 2019
© the artist
Photograph by Hyun Jin Park

SIGNAL II, 2018

SIGNAL II, 2018
Cast iron
189 x 51.8 x 35.5 cm
Installation view, Delos, Greece
Photograph by Oak Taylor Smith
Courtesy NEON Foundation; Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades
© the artist

CHUTE II, 2018

CHUTE II, 2018
Cast iron
113.8 x 61.4 x 48.2 cm
Installation view, Delos, Greece
Photograph by Oak Taylor Smith
Courtesy NEON Foundation; Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades

REACH III, 2019

REACH III, 2019
Cast iron
41 x 61 x 236.5 cm
Installation View
Busan Museum of Art, Korea, 2019
© the artist
Photograph by Hyun Jin Park