Bigger than the Angel of the North: Enormous Antony Gormley sculpture to open to the public (literally) next week

Alice Jones' Arts Diary

Roll up! Antony Gormley is back with a blockbusting new art attraction.

Model, which goes on show at White Cube Bermondsey next week, is the sculptor’s largest work yet, a reclining body made of 100 tonnes of steel. For the first time, visitors will be able to enter a Gormley – through its left foot, to be specific. The artist estimates that there is room for 380 people in the 24 interconnecting chambers in the innards of his giant likeness.

“It’s rather scary. And there are no rules”, Gormley told BBC Radio 4. “The gallery were wondering about invigilation and fire escapes and what happens when someone gets stuck in the left hand. Maybe somebody will go into the head, which is a completely light-locked black space, and won’t find their way out. But all this is to be discovered. It’s a labyrinth of experience.”

When the Arts Diary called up to find out more about the labyrinth’s health and safety measures it was told, “We don’t have that information yet. Call back to closer to opening.” So for now, take a torch and a ball of wool – and hope for the best.

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