Audio: Antony Gormley RA at White Cube Bermondsey

To walk around 'Model' with Antony Gormley was by turns inspiring and daunting, even a bit frightening given how dark the space is inside his monumental sculpture and how uncanny and unexpected it is to be part of this vast, dark space – one he says has 'the darkness of the imagination rather than of nightmares'.

As he took me on an illuminating tour of his show, he spoke to me at length about how he conceived the show to contrast the architecture of the new White Cube gallery in Bermondsey, as well as about his continual exploration of the human body in all its architectonic and metaphorical senses.

The massive 'Model', as well as the many smaller sculptures in the show, and the model room that reveals how he experiments with new ideas, represent both a new departure for Gormley, and a continuation of his ongoing fascination with the human form. It is unmissable – and its all-enveloping darkness makes a wonderful counterpoint to the bright light of the neighbouring Shard.

_{Antony Gormley RA, 'Hinge II’. Installation view 'Model', White Cube Bermondsey, London. 28 November 2012 - 10 February 2013. © Antony Gormley. Photo: Ben Westoby. Courtesy White Cube.}

_{Antony Gormley RA, ‘Bare’, ’Slump’ and ‘Retreat’ (foreground). Installation view 'Model', White Cube Bermondsey, London. 28 November 2012 - 10 February 2013. © Antony Gormley. Photo: Ben Westoby. Courtesy White Cube.}

_{Antony Gormley RA, ‘Border V’ and ‘Ease’ (foreground). Installation view 'Model', White Cube Bermondsey, London. 28 November 2012 - 10 February 2013. © Antony Gormley. Photo: Ben Westoby. Courtesy White Cube.}

_{Antony Gormley RA and RA Magazine Editor Sarah Greenberg looking at 'Ease' at White Cube Bermondsey, London. ©Royal Academy of Arts.}

_{Antony Gormley RA, 'Mark', 2012. 236 x 100 3/8 x 108 7/8 in. (599.5 x 255 x 276.5 cm). Cast iron. Courtesy White Cube.}

_{The North Gallery. Antony Gormley RA, 'Model', White Cube Bermondsey, London. 28 November 2012 - 10 February 2013 © Antony Gormley Photo: Ben Westoby Courtesy White Cube.}

_{Antony Gormley RA, 'Model', 2012. Weathering steel. 197 5/8 x 1275 9/16 x 535 7/16 in. (502 x 3240 x 1360 cm). © Antony Gormley. Photo: Ben Westoby. Courtesy White Cube.}

_{Antony Gormley RA and RA Magazine Editor Sarah Greenberg in front of 'Model', 2012. ©Royal Academy of Arts.}

_{Antony Gormley RA, 'Model', 2012. Weathering steel. 197 5/8 x 1275 9/16 x 535 7/16 in. (502 x 3240 x 1360 cm). © Antony Gormley. Photo: Ben Westoby. Courtesy White Cube.}

_{Antony Gormley RA and RA Magazine Editor Sarah Greenberg inside 'Model' at White Cube Bermondsey. ©Royal Academy of Arts.}

_{Antony Gormley RA, 'Model', 2012. Weathering steel. 197 5/8 x 1275 9/16 x 535 7/16 in. (502 x 3240 x 1360 cm). © Antony Gormley. Photo: Ben Westoby. Courtesy White Cube.}

_{The Model Room. Antony Gormley RA, 'Model', White Cube Bermondsey, London. 28 November 2012 - 10 February 2013. © Antony Gormley. Photo: Ben Westoby. Courtesy White Cube.}

_{Antony Gormley RA in The Model Room at 'Model', White Cube Bermondsey. ©Royal Academy of Arts.}

• Antony Gormley RA's 'Model' is at White Cube Bermondsey until 10 February 2013.

• Royal Academy of Arts