This work is a commission to position six life-size figures at various points along the Water of Leith, which runs to the rear of the gallery and continues to Leith, EdinburghÂ’s docks.

The first figure would be situated within the gallery grounds and be buried up to chest-level. The next will appear at the rear of the gallery, where it would look down into the water in a contemplative pose (see main illustration). A further three figures to be sited downstream will progressively turn their gaze upwards, until the final figure is reached, situated at the end of an abandoned pier in Leith Docks (other illustration) and looking out to the point where the river meets the sea at the mouth of the harbour. This will be the first publicly sited artwork by Gormley in Scotland.

Provenance

Commissioned from the artist.


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