Exhibition held to mark Angel of the North's 15th birthday
A special exhibition has gone on display to mark the 15th anniversary of the Angel of the North in Gateshead.
The sculpture, which has been visited by more than two million people, was completed on this day in 1998.
To mark the occasion a rarely seen prototype, used by designer Antony Gormley, has been unveiled at an art gallery in the North East.
The scale version of the sculpture has been in storage for the last 15 years but was recently restored by the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums Service.
A group of children from St Joseph's Primary School in Gateshead also attended the unveiling of the maquette.
– Mick Henry, leader of Gateshead Council"It's difficult to believe that it's so long ago that we welcomed the Angel of the North to its home in Gateshead.
At the same time, it's hard to imagine Gateshead without it.
The Angel has become part of what makes Gateshead, the North East and indeed even Britain, special."
– Julie Milne, chief curator of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums"The Angel of the North is intrinsic to the landscape of the North East region now, a true iconic figure.
We're very excited to welcome this extraordinary item to the Shipley Art Gallery."
