The Angel of the North is one of those things you either love or hate. It always makes me smile so I must be in the former category. According to the information board it is one of the most viewed pieces of art in the world – seen by more than one person every second, 90,000 every day or 33 million every year. The information board doesn’t mention that the reason the angel is seen by so many people is because it is situated next to the A1 and is therefore viewed by everyone who drives past on this major road.
It was certainly attracting a lot of visitors on the day that I was there. It is the largest sculpture in Britain and believed to be the largest angel sculpture in the world.
Of course I wasn’t clever enough to take the bottom photograph myself, but some things just have to be done 
We (me and my wife – not the Royal “we”
saw that for the first time in January, yep, from the A1, and we were very impressed.
If you drive past there again take the detour to see it up close, it is well worth the effort
It was like WOW! close up!
That is most impressive. I have never seen this as it must not be in my area.
From the road it is quite impressive, but taking in a detour and getting close up is quite something else. WOW!!!
Somehow (even without the wings) I knew you were an angel, CherryPie.:-)
Thank you for bringing the Angel to our attention. What an extraordinary sculpture! I visited the webpage of Anthony Gormley. Fascinating artworks. Quite a discovery!
That is really sweet of you Caudia
He does have some fascinating sculptures on his webpage doesn’t he?
I’ve never seen it. What does it say about me?
I like th new badge.
That you haven’t been along that bit of the A1 since February 1998
Put me firmly in the camp of those who prefer beautiful objects.
I cringe every time I see it. It reminds me of those early attempts by ‘man’ to imitate our feathered friends!
I would have preferred a larger picture of you anyday (with your arm’s out).
That’s very kind of you
I think it is the way it appears from nowhere that appeals to me.
Not being religious, I didn’t actually interpret it as an Angel (although I knew its name before I saw it), but I saw an inspiring and meaningful fusion of elemental iron, mankind and technology (those look like aircraft wings not angel wings to me). It made me think of human resolution and ingenuity and in its urban location it looked very appropriate. But in the wrong place I’d maybe find it awful, so I can appreciate Bernard’s point too.
If I didn’t know the name of it I wouldn’t have recognised it as an angel either. I think it works because of where it is placed in the landscape. One minute you can’t see it, then all of a sudden as you turn the corner, there it is towering over you.
I’ve not had cause to head its way. I should make the time to go. Nice shots Cherie
I think you would enjoy seeing it
I think its awesome Can’t exactly say why – it just is.
It just has that something doesn’t it?
I hadn’t realised it was so solid a sculpture. I sort of imagined it to be thinner and less substantial.
I’m a granny!!!
Oh WOW!!! Congratulations
I would love to see this for real
I think you would love it
Thanks for the chance to look and reflect, Cherie. Have never set eyes upon the Angel but, while I think a sculpture must be viewed in context, I love the representations I’ve seen + the idea of it … The only thing that bothers me is the rust!
?
Who’s the junior angel on the rhs foreground in last pic
I think the senior angel can keep the job, it makes the arms ache a little