“What does it mean to leave a trace? In leaving a mark, you create an image that others can recognise themselves in.”
—Antony GormleyAntony Gormley’s One For All of 2008 commemorates a moment of unity and activism that took place on May 29, 2008, in Yokohama, Japan. On that day, 482 people gathered to form a large, human-shaped figure on the ground as an act of solidarity with those struggling in poverty worldwide. This event coincided with the Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD), which informed discussions at the 34th G8 summit in Japan. The human formation highlighted the importance of global collaboration to address the challenges facing communities living in poverty and to advocate for those often left unheard in international dialogues.
One For All transforms this collective act into a lasting, symbolic sculpture. Using oxidized brass, Gormley created a cut-out of a human figure that appears both present and absent, as if carved out of its surroundings. This silhouette captures the spirit of the Yokohama gathering, symbolising both the vulnerability and resilience of humanity.
“I want my work to be a place of becoming, where it’s possible to touch and be touched, and to feel the experience of others.”
—Antony GormelyIn Gormley’s broader practice, the human body is a central tool for investigating complex themes such as history, memory, vulnerability, and the relationship between self and society. Often using his own body as a model, Gormley creates forms that act as markers of human presence, inviting viewers to reflect on the human experience within both personal and collective contexts. His works traverse a range of historical and existential questions, from the evolution of humanity and its social structures to the individual’s place within vast, often impersonal systems.
In One For All, the body’s outline carved in negative space encapsulates Gormley’s exploration of absence as a form of presence, suggesting that each individual, even when unseen, leaves a trace in history. This piece serves as a testament to his belief in the body as a site of connection, a bridge between the past and the future, and a reminder of the power embedded in collective action.
