Sculptor fizzes with heavenly inspiration

Jun 2 2008 by Paul James, The Journal

THE term “pop art” took on a new meaning yesterday when a mini Angel of the North made from 10,000 recycled cans of Coke was unveiled yesterday in the shadow of its big brother.

The aluminium angel – three and a half metres high and with a wingspan of eight metres – was made by Newcastle artist Sam McGeever to mark the beginning of Recycle Week today.

The theme of the week is ‘Just one more thing’ – which aims to encourage people in the North East to add more to their recycling box.

Currently only 25% of plastic bottles and 48% of aluminium drinks cans are recycled in the UK.

Yesterday Philip Bithell, the North East regional waste awareness initiative co-ordinator, said that if everybody in the North East recycled one additional drinks can a week, the amount of carbon dioxide saved from aluminium production would be equivalent to taking 5,000 cars off the roads.

Yesterday Sam, who was previously an assistant to Northumberland artist William Pym and whose work is also in place at the nearby Saltwell Park, made the final finishing touches to his latest creation.

He said: “As an artist living and working in Newcastle I see the Angel of the North most days.

“I like the Angel and so getting the chance to reproduce it in this way has been an interesting journey.

“I chose mini cans to work with because they give the feeling the aluminium angel is actually bigger than it really is.

“As we cut, bend, fold and stick and grow this angel, it is made of one thing, becomes another and then its material mass will be recycled into something new once more.”

Sam was chosen with three other artists to create Coca Cola models of national landmarks. The others include Big Ben, the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol and The Bull in Birmingham city centre.

Liz Lowe, citizenship manager at Coca Cola Great Britain, said: “We hope the aluminium Angel of the North sculpture will encourage people to think twice about throwing their drinks containers into the rubbish bin.

“Our packaging is not just waste, but a valuable resource which can be used again. Recycling saves energy and we can all do more.” The aluminium angel will be on hand for the celebrations to mark the Angel of the North’s 10th birthday on Sunday, June 22, which will take place on the football pitches between the two sculptures.

Plans to get us all to recycle more

ALSO at the unveiling of the statue yesterday was Philip Bithell, the North East regional waste awareness initiative co-ordinator, who outlined the drive to get people to recycle ‘Just one more thing’.

He said the North East needs to be recycling 35%-40% to be on a par with Europe. Gateshead is currently recycling 25% of its waste, a similar figure to most urban councils in the region.

Mr Bithell said: "We’re getting better and we’re learning but of the regions excluding London, we’re still the worst at recycling.

"We’re among the most improved and the gap is getting closer. We’re below the national average but we’re catching up.

"We need to get the public on board and recycle everything that they can. You may be recycling everything from your kitchen but are you recycling everything from your bathroom? Those plastic and glass bottles are all made from the right types of material for recycling." Gateshead Council cabinet member for the environment, Michael McNestry, said: "Our ambition is to make Gateshead a cleaner, greener and more sustainable place for everyone.

"Recycling plays a huge part in that. In the last three years we have already doubled our recycling rates but if we are to achieve our ultimate goal of recycling 50% of all waste in Gateshead we must double recycling rates again."