Party for the birthday girl
CAKE BAKED TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY OF GORMLEY’S ICONIC ANGEL
STANDING proud with the winter sun shining down on her, our iconic Angel of the North was centre of national attention as she celebrated her 20th birthday.
Cake and confetti helped mark the anniversary as photographers clambered to get the best shot of her big day.
When Sir Antony Gormley’s iconic sculpture was first touted, the concept was far from universally supported.
Now, the Angel is one of the most instantly recognisable landmarks in the UK.
Sid Henderson, who was chairman of Gateshead Council’s arts committee at the time, said its enduring popularity was “vindication”.
He said: “It was Gateshead Council who had the vision to see what was possible.
“There’s so many issues attached to the Angel and what it tells me.
“It’s about individuality, it’s about tourism, it’s about creativity and it’s about education.”
The 65ft statue’s construction was completed on this day in 1998. The parts had been moved from its construction site in Hartlepool the day before.
Leader of Gateshead Council Martin Gannon said: “When we commissioned the Angel of the North, no local council had ever commissioned such a major work of art before.
“The Angel of the North divided opinion at the time and continues to do so, though I think most people have grown to love it. And that’s what these celebrations are all about.”
A stunning replica Angel cake was baked for the occasion by Gateshead College Level 3 professional cookery student Lisa Duncan. She said: “I’m really proud to mark this momentous occasion by baking the official birthday cake.”
Teacher Susan Gardner, 39, who is originally from Hexham but now lives in Yorkshire, said the Angel was a “special place” for her and her family.
She said: “It’s really special the A1 journey going back and forth from my mum and dad’s.
“Every time we drive it we always wave to the Angel, the kids do it and it’s quite an emotional thing for us.”
The Angel is passed by an estimated 90,000 travellers on the A1 and the East Coast main line every day.
Photographer Mark Higgins, 52, had travelled up from Oxford just for the day on Thursday. He said: “I’ve driven past the Angel many, many times and never had the chance to photograph her so today is the day.
“It was worth every mile of my journey. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
In an interview with the Chronicle this week, Gormley said: “The Angel has three functions. Firstly a historic one, to remind us that below this site coal miners worked in the dark for 200 years. Secondly to grasp hold of the future, expressing our transition from the industrial to the information age. And lastly to be a focus for our hopes and fears.”