Natural Selection 1981

Antony Gormley created 'Natural Selection' using iron. The sculptures' linear arrangement implies a conceptual journey. It alludes to the evolutionary theories popularized in 19th-century Britain, which challenged religious beliefs. The sculptures are arranged in a linear sequence. As the iron forms change from spherical to more sausage-like, Gormley references a progressive transformation, a visual metaphor that embodies change and progression. The work was made in Britain, a country shaped by the industrial revolution, where iron foundries were common. The use of iron is relevant to the historical and institutional context of the artwork. The artist is commenting on a time of great social and technological change. Is progress always for the best? Historians of science and technology can help us understand this work. They use scientific records, engineering drawings, and other documents to show how 'Natural Selection' connects with the past. The study of art is all about context.