the knife angel

The 'Knife Angel' was created by Alfie Bradley at the National Ironwork Centre in Oswestry, Shrophire. Knives and other weapons collected from all forty three of the UK police forces were used in its construction and you can learn more about how and why it came into being by clicking here.

The statue is on tour round the country and is currently on display at Victoria Square in the heart of Birmingham.  It exudes a brooding presence and is an utterly compelling piece of work. Do go and see it if you get a chance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

the history of black country architecture - the thatcher years

The heart of Black Country architecture lies in the Industrial Revolution but there is little doubt the one person who exerted more influence over it than any other is Margaret Thatcher. Under her Prime Ministerial stewardship the factory gates were locked, the windows were boarded, barbed wire went up and the buildings sank into slow and inevitable decay.

Yet even amongst the decay there can be found both the seeds of new growth and the beauty of a forgotten world.