Angel of the North, public sculpture in Gateshead, England

Design, materials and dimensions

The work depicts a stylised human figure with outstretched wings and is constructed chiefly from weathering steel with a reinforced concrete substructure. Its overall scale is impressive: the figure stands roughly 20 metres tall (about 66 feet) with a wingspan of approximately 54 metres (around 177 feet). The steel surface develops a stable rust‑coloured patina that reduces ongoing corrosion and gives the sculpture its characteristic appearance.

Construction and siting

Fabrication took place in stages during the mid‑1990s and the completed sculpture was transported and assembled on site in the late 1990s. The steel components were formed and attached to a substantial concrete foundation to anchor the piece against wind and weather on the exposed hilltop. The location was chosen for visibility: the Angel is placed close to major transport routes, making it easily seen from roads and railways and integrating it into everyday passage through the area.

Public response was mixed at first, with debates about cost, aesthetics and scale, but over time the Angel has been embraced by many residents and visitors. It now features frequently in regional imagery, appears in media and tourism material, and is often cited in discussions of contemporary public art in Britain.

Key facts

• Artist: Anthony Gormley.
• Location: hillside near Gateshead, England.
• Completed: 1998 (fabrication and installation during the mid‑1990s).
• Materials: weathering steel and concrete.
• Notable: one of the most recognisable large‑scale public sculptures in the UK; see more on the sculpture.

As a piece of civic art the Angel of the North illustrates how contemporary sculpture can transform a landscape, provoke public debate and become an enduring emblem for a place. Its maintenance largely focuses on the steel's protective patina and the stability of the foundations, ensuring the work remains a visible feature of the region for decades to come.