Information about the Sculpture:
The sculpture “Stay” by Antony Gormley is a sculpture found in the Avon River. It has an identical counterpart found in the art centre, and the two sculptures were installed between 2015 and 2016.
STAY comprises two identical works translating a human body into a rising form of bold crystalline cells; both link time, place and consciousness. They look down: one into the moving waters of the Otakaro Avon River and the other into the paved ground of the Arts Centre. They are made of a concentrated earth material, iron. The works take a single moment of human time and place it in two distinct contexts: a tree-lined river and the aftermath of a horrible natural disaster. It is a form of acupuncture to revitalise a traumatised urban field.
Significance of sculpture:
“Stay” prompts us to contemplate our place in the world, urging us to pause and reflect on the transient nature of life and the enduring resilience of the human spirit amidst the ever-changing urban environment.
OTHER WORKS
Antony Gormley’s artistic repertoire extends across continents, each work a testament to his fascination with the human form in diverse contexts.
“Asian Field” in China transforms vast expanses of space with an assembly of terracotta figures, evoking a sense of collective presence and cultural identity.
“Allotment III” in Mexico offers a reflection on urban landscapes and human interaction with nature, through an intricately cultivated patchwork of organic forms.