Angel of the North

The Angel of the North is a large contemporary sculpture by Antony Gormley, standing on a hill in Lamesley Parish near Gateshead. Made of COR-TEN weathering steel, it has a distinctive rusty colour and measures 20 metres tall with a 54-metre wingspan. The sculpture’s ribs act as an external skeleton, allowing it to withstand strong winds. Completed in 1998, it is seen by an estimated 33 million people each year due to its position near major roads and rail lines. The site was once a colliery, offering views over the varied landscape of the Tyne and Wear Lowlands. The project began when Gateshead Council sought a landmark to mark the southern approach to Gateshead. Antony Gormley was chosen after visiting the proposed site, which he compared to a megalithic burial chamber. The sculpture was commissioned to act as a guardian for the town, with funding from Arts Council England and the European Regional Development Fund. Despite initial opposition, it is now widely recognised as a symbol of Gateshead and the North East. The council’s Art in Public Places panel led the process, working with Northern Arts and local departments. Visitors find the sculpture dominating the hilltop, its wings angled forward as if in embrace. The oxidised steel blends with the surroundings rather than contrasting sharply. The base stands on a thick concrete slab, ensuring stability in exposed conditions. Travellers pass by at speed, seeing the Angel from roads and rail lines. Its sheer size and simple form make it a striking landmark, intended to be viewed from many angles. The sculpture’s design reflects Gormley’s interest in the human body and the landscape.