Angel of the North artist Antony Gormley to show Turner Prize-winning work in National Glass Centre

Field for the British Isles by Gormley, one of Britain’s most celebrated artists, goes on display for nine weeks at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (NGCA) at the National Glass Centre, between July 24 and September 25. Tickets are free.

The sculpture, which won the 1994 Turner Prize comprises 40,000 clay figures and hasn’t been on view in the North East since 1996.

Timed entry tickets for a 10-minute private viewing are available for groups of up to six. The installation was last in the region 25 years ago when it was displayed in Gateshead. More than 25,000 people flocked to see it.

It will be the first time Gormley’s work has been exhibited in Sunderland.

The artwork will be loaned by Arts Council Collection, a national loan collection of modern and contemporary British Art.

The project has been made possible thanks to an £18,000 grant from the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund; and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Field for the British Isles was chosen by Sunderland Culture’s Art Champions, a group of nine local people with a passion for discovering more about modern and contemporary art.

Alistair Robinson, director at NGCA, said: “We’re thrilled that such a major installation is coming to the city, and Field for the British Isles will be the centrepiece of Sunderland Culture’s summer programme.

"We’ve already had massive interest, so my advice would be to book early.

“Visitors can be reassured that we will be following all social distancing and covid-secure measures set out by the Government.

“We ask visitors to head to the gallery five or ten minutes before their allocated time. Tickets can be printed off at home, or shown using your mobile phone. Photography for personal use is permitted, but visitors will not be able to touch the installation.”

Tickets will be available from www.northerngalleryforcontemporaryart.org.uk from 10am on Monday, June 28. They can also be reserved in person at National Glass Centre, or by ringing 0191 515 5555.

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