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

Alice Jones' Arts Diary

Thursday 22 November 2012 13:12 GMT

Angel of the north Where: The A1 south of Gateshead Who by: Antony Gormley When: 1998 What they said then: 'It's awful. I'm more traditional. I'll never like it, but it is something we have to accept.' Maureen Abramson - Local publican 'It is probably the emptiest, most inflated, most vulgar of his works. It's said to represent an angel, but it more closely represents an old clothes peg.' Brian Sewell - Art critic What they say now: 'It's a great symbol of the North-east. it's a sign to show that I'm actually nearing home.' Alan Shearer - Former Newcastle United footballer (Getty Images)

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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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