Antony Gormley's 'What Holds Us' Fills Galleria Continua with Industrial Bodies
Antony Gormley’s upcoming exhibition, 'What Holds Us,' will be hosted at Galleria Continua in San Gimignano, Italy, from May 9 to September 13, 2026. This exhibition explores our existence as 'urban animals' through a variety of sculptures made from clay, concrete, iron, and cardboard. One of the standout features is 'Innercity' (2026), an interactive maze of 15 giant cardboard figures that mimic Amazon boxes, set against the town's medieval scenery. Upon entering, you'll find basalt 'Blockworks' along the walls, and 'Slabworks,' which showcase terracotta figures that are double the height of an average person, representing interconnectedness. Gormley aims to offer new insights into our built environment, emphasizing that all materials carry significance.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'What Holds Us' by Antony Gormley at Galleria Continua, San Gimignano, Italy.
- Runs May 9 to September 13, 2026.
- Features sculptures from clay, concrete, iron, and cardboard.
- Main installation 'Innercity' (2026) is a labyrinth of 15 giant cardboard bodies.
- Cardboard used is same as Amazon packaging, highlighting disposable culture.
- 'Blockworks' are stacked basalt sculptures leaning against gallery walls.
- 'Slabworks' are terracotta forms twice human size, supporting each other.
- Gormley aims to reimagine the body and built world through matter.
- Location is a medieval hill town, contrasting with contemporary materials.
- Visitors can crawl through the giant cardboard bodies.
Entities
Artists
- Antony Gormley
- Kynaston McShine
- Anthony Gormley
- Alberto Giacometti
- Jean-Paul Sartre
- Michelangelo
- Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Institutions
- Galleria Continua
- Royal Academy
- OKNO Studio
- Juliet Art Magazine
- Royal Academy of Arts
- Uffizi Gallery
- Rodin Museum
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- National Gallery Singapore
- Long Museum
- Amazon
Locations
- San Gimignano
- Italy
- London
- United Kingdom
- Tuscany
- Gateshead
- England
- New York City
- United States
- Florence
- Paris
- Philadelphia
- Singapore
- Shanghai
- Beijing
- China
- Les Moulins
- France
- Havana
- Cuba
- Rome
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Dubai
- United Arab Emirates