Antony Gormley salutes Harewood as one of the premier venues for the arts in the North

Antony Gormley and his iron figures ‘State I and State II’ in the Terrace Gallery, Harewood House, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Photography Tim Smith

On Friday 19th August, Antony Gormley’s exhibition ‘Two States’ was officially launched with a Summer Party at Harewood House, Leeds. The two new sculptures are in the Terrace Gallery at Harewood House which is open every day until 30th October.

In a speech at the preview of the show, Gormley spoke warmly of his feelings for Harewood and explained how he shares the late Lord Harewood’s admiration for work by Sir Jacob Epstein, who carved the renowned alabaster figure ‘Adam’ which is the centre piece of the Hall at Harewood and was shown at the Edinburgh Festival in 1961 under Lord Harewood’s direction. The Terrace Gallery celebrated its 21st anniversary in 2010 as the first contemporary art space within a country house and Gormley commented on how he was inspired to produce these extraordinary sculptures in cast iron, specifically for this space, with its four load-bearing columns and classically simple architecture. 
 

Antony Gormley and hie iron figures.
Photography Tim Smith

‘Two States’ is open from 10.30 to 4pm every day in the Terrace Gallery, accessible through Below Stairs and the Terrace Café entrance until 30th October. Entry is included with a Grounds ticket. Visit http://www.harewood.org/whats-on/exhibitions/1/744 or call 0113 218 1010 for details.

‘George Harewood: A Life Well Lived,’ an exhibition celebrating the life of the late Lord Harewood continues on the State Floor until 30th October.