Antony Gormley

Sculpture is an act of faith in life, in its continuity - Antony Gormley

Few artists have enjoyed the popular acclaim and critical profile that Antony Gormley has gained in recent years. From the fourth plinth in London's Trafalgar Square to the remote desert of central Australia, his work gener-ates lively debate, connecting readily with an audience beyond the reach of most contemporary art.

Gormley has succeeded in taking his work beyond the gallery to engage the public in previously untried settings. Large-scale projects, such as the Angel of the North at Gateshead, or the 100 cast-iron sculptures in the sea off Crosby Beach that is Another Place, have provided new, iconic landmarks for the communities in which they are situated, making him one of the most celebrated and talked about artists of his generation. While much of his sculpture has been based on casts of his own body, recent works have taken off in new and unexpected directions, often involving audience participation.

Providing an overview of Gormley's entire career, an in-depth analysis of six key works and over 100 colour illustrations, this is an accessible and up-to-date introduction to one of the most popular and engaging artists at work today.

Martin Caiger-Smith is a writer and lecturer at the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, where he heads the MA Curating Programme.