Trinity College has recently unveiled a unique work from the collaboration between two of the UK’s most celebrated artists: sculptor Antony Gormley and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, an Honorary Fellow of Trinity College. This striking new artwork, a cast iron door designed by Gormley and inscribed with a poem by Armitage, now stands beside the iconic Stuart Gates on Parks Road. According to legend, these great gates will never be opened until a Stuart sits again on the throne of England!
Now, standing beside them, Gormley’s rusted iron door is both a functional entrance to the college and a piece designed for reflection. Over time, the surface will evolve as the iron continues to rust, while the touch of those passing through will gradually polish it, making human interaction an integral part of the artwork’s transformation.
Gormley, known for his exploration of space, form, and human presence, describes his inspiration: ‘The idea of the threshold and the function of doors have fascinated me for a long time. I want the experience of approaching and passing through this door to be as engaging as the door itself, where material and words come together.’ A silhouette of a walking figure is cut into the centre of the door, creating an ambiguous image—does the figure approach, or is it leaving? This uncertainty invites contemplation about movement, transition, and perspective.
Armitage’s poem, Hinge, is embossed onto the door’s surface, reinforcing its symbolic meaning. He explains: ‘The poem reflects on the two-way nature of a door, an entrance and an exit, a passage between different ways of thinking and experiencing the world. Antony’s design places humanity at its core, making it not just a boundary but an opening for imagination and reflection.’ The poem and the sculpture work together to encourage engagement with the ideas of learning, transition, and self-exploration.
The door’s unveiling in March 2025 marked the culmination of major developments within Trinity’s Broad Street Estate, including the Levine Building and significant refurbishments of the Chapel, Library, and Dining Hall. Trinity’s President, Dame Hilary Boulding, reflects on the significance of the project: ‘We are thrilled to have brought together two such renowned artists to create something thought-provoking and engaging for the public realm. This door symbolizes our commitment to both the wider Oxford community and to fostering curiosity and creativity.’
To celebrate the unveiling, Gormley and Armitage held an ‘In Conversation’ event on 12 March, where they discussed the intersections of their disciplines and their creative process. This collaboration not only enriches Trinity’s historic setting but also offers a fresh perspective on the role of public art in shaping communal spaces.
