Angel of the North

Antony Gormley created the Angel of the North in 1998, a 66-foot steel figure with a 177-foot wingspan standing on a former coal mine near Gateshead, England. The sculpture marks the transition from Britain's industrial past to an uncertain future, a secular angel watching over the depressed northeast region.

Gormley based the figure on a cast of his own body, as he does with most of his sculptural work. The wings extend horizontally rather than vertically, angled slightly forward at 3.5 degrees to create "a sense of embrace." The rusty Cor-Ten steel weathers without deteriorating, its color echoing the earth and industry of the region.

Initially controversial, the Angel has become beloved, appearing on British stamps and serving as a symbol of northern England. Over 150,000 vehicles pass it daily on the A1 motorway. The sculpture sits on a hill with 360-degree access, inviting visitors to stand beneath its massive wingspan. It ranks among Britain's most visited artworks.