It is one of Britain’s most loved public artworks, a landmark visible for miles around. But concerns are growing that views of the Angel of the North could be obscured as a result of highway expansion plans due to be confirmed within weeks.
Sir Antony Gormley, the creator of the giant sculpture near Gateshead, has said that any obstruction would be “heartbreaking”.
Last week, worries about the landmark rose when Historic England rejected an application to grant listed status to the sculpture because it isn’t old enough.
The Twentieth Century Society, which submitted the application, said it was “dismayed” by the decision. Joe Mathieson, a caseworker for the society, said: “We wanted to underline [the Angel of the North’s] importance as an icon, not only of the north-east but of the UK as a whole. Alongside Sir Antony Gormley himself, we are worried about what the A1 motorway development will do to views of this impressive sculpture.”
A £250m scheme to ease congestion on the A1 south of Gateshead was approved by the government in January. It includes widening the highway and erecting large gantries, which Mathieson said would “disrupt views of the sculpture”. The final design of the scheme is expected to be confirmed by late spring.
Veronica Fiorato of Historic England said the Angel of the North was a “nationally loved landmark” and an important work of art. “However, given it is still less than 30 years old and not under any immediate threat, we have turned down a recent application for listing.
“We understand concerns about the potential impact that changes to the area surrounding the Angel of the North may have on this iconic sculpture. We have been advising Highways England on moderations to the A1 scheme’s design to lessen the impact on the Angel.”
The setting of a building of special architectural or historic interest, or any threat to its setting, was not part of the criteria that is considered during a listing application, she added. “While we may take group value and contextual interest into account, it is not a deciding factor in its own right.”
Catherine Croft, director of the Twentieth Century Society, said the organisation had considered the Angel to be a “very strong contender” for listing. “Many statues and works of public art are protected in this way, even though they are not, strictly speaking, ‘buildings’.”
She added: “Once key views are blocked, there is often no going back. It’s not just sculptures which are vulnerable in this way; it means that however fantastic a building might be, it won’t be possible to get it listed if a massive new development is proposed right next door.”
The final design of the road-widening scheme, including the location of the gantries, was still being developed, said a spokesperson for Highways England. “Our approach throughout [has been] to minimise the effect on the landscape and to mitigate any impact, particularly around the Angel of the North,” they added.
The sculpture, which was completed in 1998, stands on the site of a former colliery that was closed in the 1960s after 240 years in operation. The Angel cost £800,000, most of which came from Arts Council England, with the EU’s European regional development fund contributing £150,000.
It stands 20 metres tall with a wingspan of 54 metres, making it Britain’s largest sculpture. Its concrete foundations extend 20 metres below ground.
In 2008, the Angel was voted the UK’s most recognisable landmark in a National Lottery poll. Gormley, one of the UK’s best-known contemporary artists, won the Turner prize in 1994, the Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture in 2015, and has been a Royal Academician since 2003.
In January he launched the Great Big Art Exhibition to encourage the public to create and display art during the Covid lockdown.
Gormley declined to comment on Historic England’s decision or the Highways England’s A1 scheme. In submissions to the roads agency last year, he said it would be “heartbreaking to lose sight of the Angel of the North on the approach from the A1, and thus I am desperate to do all I can to protect these views”.
He is believed to be working closely with Highways England and Gateshead council on preserving sight lines.
