The Knife Angel

We took a trip into Blackburn today to see the ‘Knife Angel’ sculpture.

This 27ft sculpture is made from 100,000 seized and surrendered blades. It has already toured 13 UK towns and cities but this is its first visit to Lancashire.

The sculpture took artist Alfie Bradley four years to create and some of the knives were still in evidence tubes when they were donated to the cause. Approximately 30% of knives used in the angel arrived with bodily fluids on their surface. All knives were disinfected and blunted before being welded onto the frame.

The sculpture was created to highlight knife crime in the UK and educate young people of the harmful effect violent behaviour can have on their communities.

Families who lost loved ones were invited to have a message engraved onto a blade in the sculpture. Perpetrators (who saw the error of their ways) also contributed to the engraved messages.

There is a box in front of the angel, where people can surrender their knives, should they wish to do so.

This unique piece of art is available to view in Blackburn until 29th November.
For more info visit the website:
www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk

Also check out my Instagram for more photos :-)

DQ x