Not just any old iron...
NEW GORMLEY SCULPTURE PLANNED AT UNIVERSITY
A brand new sculpture by renowned artist Sir Antony Gormley could be heading to Newcastle city centre this summer.
Newcastle University has been offered the temporary loan of the 4.4m sculpture for up to five years, partly to coincide with the Great Exhibition of the North.
The university has now submitted a planning application to install the statue on Kings walk, adjacent to the Students’ Union and the Northern Stage building.
The iron sculpture is part of Mr Gormley’s ‘Blockwork’ series and comprises “18 individual blocks cast as one single element”.
Last month saw the 20th anniversary of perhaps Mr Gormley’s most famous work, and North East landmark, The Angel of the North.
If given permission, the new sculpture would be installed in the summer.
It would be on a concrete base which would then be kept for future exhibits when the sculpture is moved in five years.
The planning documents said: “The surface colour will evolve organically as a response to environmental conditions.
“The dialogue with the natural environment is central to the concept behind the work and the oxidation on the surface of the sculpture will continue to develop naturally without any other assistance.
“The sculpture may get darker over time which is part of the weathering process.”
The plans add: “The work will be cast in the Gormley Studios Hexham Foundry.
“It will be cast using the ‘lost foam’ process, which is an established industrial method for one off castings of this scale and complexity.
“The ‘Blockwork’ series began with the idea of building using physical pixels, but the small blocks turned into ever bigger blocks and description gave way to the realisation that the way one block sat on top of another could carry the feeling of inhabiting a body.”
A Newcastle University spokesman said: “Although it is still subject to planning approval and final agreement, we are very excited to be in discussion with Sir Antony about hosting this brand new sculpture.
“The work, which is being generously loaned to us by Sir Antony, will form part of the university’s successful art on campus programme which aims to showcase art by leading artists, as well as graduates, students and staff from our own highly regarded fine art department, creating a vibrant environment on campus.”