Sculpture

A shark in formaldehyde, a coat hanger spaceman and a blown-apart shed – these are just some of the directions in art being taken by sculptors nowadays.

So what influences these cutting-edge artists? What are they trying to achieve and how can their approaches inspire your own work?

The Directions in Art series takes an in-depth look at the work of some of our leading contemporary artists. It draws on a range of British and international examples to provide a fascinating taste of innovations in the art world today. Each book examines the artists’ backgrounds, influences and choices of subject matter. Their style and methods of working are explored in detail through a key piece for which they are renowned.

Sculpture explores the work of artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Antony Gormley, Damien Hirst and Rachel Whiteread.