National Gallery Ledge Piece 1978

Here we have Anthony Caro’s, National Gallery Ledge Piece, made of steel. Looking at this sculpture, it feels like a conversation, or even a debate, amongst the different forms. There’s something so compelling about the rawness of the materials. The steel is unapologetically itself, with all its textures, welds, and patinas on full display. I love how Caro leaves these traces of process visible, reminding us that art is not just about the end result, but about the journey of making. Notice the circular forms that sit on top. They seem to be turning or moving. I'm reminded of the kinetic sculptures of Naum Gabo, though Caro's approach is more grounded, more physical. But, like Gabo, Caro invites us to see sculpture as something dynamic, something that unfolds in time and space. It's this sense of openness, of possibility, that makes Caro's work so enduring.