There is just over a week left to see a unique sculpture in Barrow town centre which has been wowing people from across Cumbria and beyond.
Standing at more than eight metres tall, the Knife Angel includes a hefty 100,000 blunted and sterilised knives collected by police forces in amnesties across the UK.
Following a month-long stint in Carlisle, the thought-provoking artwork has already drawn huge attention from shoppers, local residents and day visitors exploring Barrow town centre and the surrounding area.
Created by sculptor Alfie Bradley, the Knife Angel is visiting Barrow as part of the National UK Anti-Violence Tour until January 31, where it is taking a prominent central position on Duke Street in front of The Forum and the Town Hall.
The Drop Zone Youth Project was one of the organisations involved in bringing the Knife Angel to Barrow. Director Cath Corkhill said: “This huge three-and-a-half-ton sculpture has a very powerful presence, particularly when it’s lit up after dark.
“The feedback from local communities has been phenomenal and it’s fantastic to see a piece of public art sparking important conversations. Although knife crime is not a widespread problem in Cumbria, this unique structure has also created a real focal point to highlight a range of education and prevention initiatives taking place in schools and youth organisations locally.
“For anyone who hasn’t yet seen the Knife Angel, it’s difficult to describe until you’re stood in front of it and can feel its full effect! We don’t know when it will return to Cumbria in the future, so it’s definitely worth making a visit to see it first-hand over the next few days.”
The monument has been brought to the county as a collaboration between Barrow Borough Council, Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, Drop Zone Youth Projects, South Cumbria Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) and Cumbria police.
The Knife Angel remains in until the end of the month.
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