Gormley sculpture to go on display

Antony Gormley, the creator of the landmark Angel of the North near Gateshead, will display Domain Field in the medieval Great Hall.

The exhibition is believed to be the first in the south by the Turner Prize-winning artist. Entry is free.

Gormley worked in Hampshire at the start of his career and one of his early pieces stands in the crypt under Winchester Cathedral.

The exhibition, which runs from February 6 to March 23, has been organised by Hampshire County Council in association with the first-ever Winchester Festival of Art and the Mind, which takes place from March 5-7.

Domain Field comprises around 100 life-size figures made of a matrix of steel bars.

They create a vision of the human form which appears almost weightless.

The figures are based on casts made of volunteers from the Gateshead area.

Hampshire County Council has worked closely with a number of partners, including Winchester City Council, Arts Council England and the Hampshire Sculpture Trust, to bring the exhibition to Winchester.

Councillor John Waddington, Hampshire County Council's executive member for recreation and heritage, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for art lovers in the south to see work by a world-class artist in a unique historic setting.

"We are thrilled to be able to bring this exhibition to Hampshire and see it as the first step in a move to bring more prestigious national and international exhibitions to the county."

Eloise Appleby, head of tourism at Winchester City Council, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have such a renowned artist opt to host his first southern exhibition of this work in Winchester."

Winchester Festival of Art and the Mind will explore the relationship between art and science, bringing together pre-eminent artists and academics, including Gormley.

Gormley's talk on Domain Field at the Great Hall on March 6 is a key event in the festival.

For tickets, call Winchester Theatre box office on 01962 840440.