A REPLICA of Tyneside’s Angel of the North will be unveiled for the first time in more than a decade as part of its 15th anniversary celebrations.
A model of the Angel of the North, produced as a prototype by creator Antony Gormley, has not been seen since the Angel herself was created 15 years ago.
But now the replica, made from wood, will be displayed in the Shipley Art Gallery from next week to mark the Angel’s 15th birthday on February 14.
Leader of Gateshead Council Mick Henry said: “The Angel of the North marks significant cultural regeneration in Gateshead. It is not only an iconic piece of art but a defining structural symbol of economic regeneration in the North East. Our investment in culture was always a driver for change, and we are now seeing the results.
“With an international profile for regeneration, we now have investment from major retail, housing and leisure organisations, which are bringing real changes to the borough, for local people.”
As part of the celebrations, children from around Gateshead, who share their birthday with the Angel, will also visit the site.
The 50 youngsters, who were all born on the day that the Angel arrived in Gateshead – February 14, 1998, came together on the sculpture’s 10th anniversary.
And now the same children are expected to visit the site to mark the 15th anniversary milestone.
In 2000, the Angel was awarded the Civic Trust Award, and was voted one of the Wonders of Britain in a survey carried out by The Yellow Pages in 2002.
The Angel is one of the most talked about pieces of art produced. Rising 20m (65ft) from the ground near the A1, it is made from 200 tonnes of steel with a wingspan of 54m (177ft).
Gateshead Council’s Art in Public Places Panel decided in 1990 to earmark the site overlooking the A1 in Gateshead for a future landmark sculpture.
A shortlist of artists was drawn up three years later, with Mr Gormley chosen to work alongside engineering consultants, Ove Arup & Partners. The Angel was built by Hartlepool Fabrications Ltd, with the Angel completed in February 1998.
