The Angel and Gateshead

The Angel of the North is Britain's best known public artwork. Controversy erupted in 1994 when Gateshead Council announced its plans to create this sculpture, twenty metres high with the wingspan of a jumbo jet airliner. Despite an organised political campaign to stop the Angel being built, the Leader of Gateshead Council was steadfast in his support for the project. This is the entertaining true story of what really happened, behind the scenes, to bring the Angel of the North to Gateshead. The author is the man responsible for Gateshead Council commissioning this world famous artwork by Sir Antony Gormley. 18,000 words.

Bill Macnaught was responsible for commissioning the Angel of the North. Born in Stirling, Scotland he moved to the North East of England to work for Gateshead Council in 1984. In 2005 the Queen awarded him a CBE for services to public libraries and cultural life. He ​​lives in New Zealand​​​​​.