Seeing the ‘Angel of the North’ up close

Image credit: Haus of Hiatus

If you’ve never heard if it before, the Angel of the North is a massive contemporary sculpture located in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England.

 

It was designed by the British sculptor Antony Gormley (Sir Antony Mark David Gormley OBE RA to use his full title!), it stands at an impressive height of 20 meters (66 feet) with a wingspan of 54 meters (177 feet). The sculpture was completed in 1998 and is situated on a hill overlooking the A1 and A167 roads, making it a prominent landmark visible to travellers passing through the area.

 

Constructed from steel, the Angel of the North has become an iconic symbol of the Northeast of England, representing the region's industrial heritage and its transition into the modern era. The sculpture's distinctive form consists of a series of steel plates, giving it a somewhat abstract and ethereal appearance. Despite its imposing size, the Angel of the North exudes a sense of grace and serenity.

 

The sculpture has garnered both praise and criticism since its installation. Many people appreciate its striking design and the way it has become ingrained in the local landscape, while others have raised concerns about its visual impact on the surrounding area.

 

However, over time, the Angel of the North has become widely beloved by residents and visitors alike, and it continues to attract tourists from around the world who come to admire its imposing presence and unique beauty.

 

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Chris Shirley MA FRGS

About the Author: A former Royal Marines officer and advisor to the BBC, Chris has travelled in over 60 countries, is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a Guinness World Record holder for rowing over 3500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, a Marathon des Sables finisher, and is the founder of ‘Haus of Hiatus’, a website design and branding studio that designs and amplifies start-ups, scale-ups and special projects around the world.

He has worked with Hollywood actors, world–renowned musical artists and TV personalities, and is delighted to have had his work featured by the United Nations, Red Bull, BBC, and even seen at the South Pole!

https://www.hausofhiatus.com/team
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