Sculptor Spends 2 Years To Build Knife Angel Out Of 100,000 Weapons, However Government Rejects It
There’s a giant 26-foot-tall Knife Angel sculpture in the UK, built entirely out of 100,000 donated knives. But besides the impressive statistics, it’s also a monumental sculpture built out of morbid necessity to remember the victims fallen to the increasing knife violence in the United Kingdom and to finally acknowledge that there is a real problem.
The beautiful sculpture’s creator, Alfie Bradley, has spent two years designing and building this work of art which features police donated knives that were actually used in violent crimes all over England and Wales, some of which even have the names of the victims engraved onto the blades. The rest came thanks to the help of British Ironwork Centre in Shropshire, which initiated an amnesty program “Save a Life, Surrender Your Knife” through which people could anonymously donate their knives to create this sculpture artwork.
Besides cleaning every knife of ‘biological material,’ Alfie also “had to blunt every single knife to make sure they’re not sharp anymore, and can’t create any damage,” Bradley told ITV News.
Bradley is currently running a petition to put the metal sculpture on Trafalgar Square in London to raise awareness of the issue, and you can show your support right here.
More info: British Ironwork Centre (h/t: demilked)
This 26-foot-tall Knife Angel sculpture is actually a monument…
For the victims fallen to the increasing knife violence in the United Kingdom
And it’s built entirely out of 100,000 donated knives
Some of which have actually been used in the crimes
The angel’s creator, Alfie Radley, has spent two years designing and building the sculpture
But the idea was rejected by the government…
as they thought it showed Britain in a bad light
But Alife is not giving up, and now he wants to put it on Trafalgar square in London to raise more awareness
And you can help him out by signing this petition
560Kviews
Share on FacebookUntil people stop being childish and admit what the actual problems are, none of this will change. There is no such thing as "knife violence" or "gun violence" or "car violence". There are only violent human beings. You'll never get anywhere with combatting violence if you cannot even call it what it is - violent human beings.
You're absolutely right Jim. Weapons do not kill people. People kill people, who use certain tools for their own purposes. Amen.
Load More Replies...You cannot disarm innocent people of guns and then expect that criminals and violence will magically disappear. Instead of guns, they'll simply use another lethal weapon, and they have done exactly that.
Mark, you took the words right out of my mouth. Violent people will always find a way to channel that violence. That's why innocent people need to have the Liberty to protect themselves.
Load More Replies...Wow... amazing sculpture and a very powerful message. I do hope it'll be desplayed somewhere
@EloiseHanson: It's bad enough that you are using an easily researchable name as your username while you try to scam people, but trying to scam people in the comments of an article highlighting the amount of fatal stabbings in the UK? that's disrespectful and sad, Please excuse my language, but you need to f**k off and get a damn job to raise your income, and stop trying to get other people to do it for you.
Load More Replies...So, when you get rid of all the knives, and all of the caustic substances, the violent people will probably just start using blunt objects. Or broken glass. Or petrol. Has it ever occurred to anyone in the UK that maybe the problem is not going to be solved by removing anything that can be turned into a weapon? Because that is essentially impossible. On the other hand, when you remove the violent people from the population, knives and car batteries become harmless but useful objects again.
Now Britain's blaming knives for violence? Well, wake Parliament, they've got anti-knives legislation to work on.
In Italy, knife is a cold weapon. At least at the Court House and police.
Load More Replies...Take guns away. Evil will find another way. That way is knives. Take knifes away. Now they'll use belts or whtever. Knives ain't the problem
Belts? If only. The weapon of choice is now drain cleaner - 95% sulphuric acid. Gang members reportedly nickname this "face melter", so there can be no doubt that understand the devastating life-changing injuries this will cause.
Load More Replies...Just look at statistics and facts and you will see that guns are not nessescary. I no expert, but I live in Australia and it's far safer here than what I've seen of America. Of course, America is more popular and it's education system is worse, which could play into it. Not everything crappy that happens is because of guns, but making them illegal without a gun license is taking a step in the right direction. Criminals and violence won't magically disappear, but it will take a lot more effort to get a gun, which are more lethal than other easily accessible weapons (because, remember, guns are EASILY ACCESSABLE in America). Of course violent people are going to be violent, but maybe growing up without Bing surrounded by guns and people who use them, there will be less of a threat.
I think its important to make the distinction between urban gun culture and rural gun culture here. The US is a hugely diverse demographic, many large cities with serious gun violence problems, but many areas of rural country with people whom use guns for hunting or recreation. The latter is not usually the demographic you have to worry about committing violent crimes because *usually* rural people raised with firearms are well educated in their use within that culture. This kind of gun culture is vastly different than urban gun culture in which *many* people who keep guns do so for protection, status/power symbols or criminal activity. Of course these are generalizations and there are exceptions, but its important to state the difference between the two demographics. Being raised around guns is not the problem, the problem is the intent.
Load More Replies...I support him, but putting it on trafalgar square is pretty bad, it's filled with knifes and pointy ends; people will gett hurt on it. his art work is amazing but people are idiots and will hurt themselves on it.
I thought that too but also if its vandalised... Both in not just damage to the sculpture itsef but any loose part of the sculpture could be picked off and used again as a weapon. It would be better contained under glass or behind a fence in a large museum
Load More Replies...I signed the petition. I hope you get what you're fighting for. What you created is absolutely amazing and beautiful in its own way.
Jeeze so many downvotes, I meant I have chronic depression and wanna dIE
Load More Replies...The statue was rejected for Trafalgar Square but has been touring the country since 2018. Wikipedia has a list of its scheduled appearances.In Nov 2021 it's in Blackburn in Lancashire.
Take away the guns, then they just use a knife. So take away the knives they will just use clubs, so take them away they will just use rocks. Then what will you do? ANYTHING can be turned into a weapon so taking away everything that can be used as a weapon isn't going to stop people from hurting and killing each other. It's just human nature that some of us have all the violence in them that's missing from others. There's always going to be bad people that enjoy being bad and hurting others and destroying things. Just like there's always going to be good people and people that like to create things. We need to figure out what to do with the undesirable people or just face the fact that there's always going to be violence because violent people thrive on it and live for violence.
This is a splendid piece of art that makes a poignant statement. Just as we are dealing with a debate here in the US about gun crimes, it is important and valiant that the artist attempted to make a valid point with his work. It's a shame that it's being ignored by the British gov't for fear of "looking bad." From your friends and mutual metal art enthusiasts across the big pond here in Texas at http://finelineproduction.com/ - we applaud the artist!
This is a beautiful piece of artwork and makes a poignant statment. It's a shame that it's being ignored due to fear of making Britain look bad. We support the artist! From your friends and metal sculpture enthusiasts in Texas at: http://finelineproduction.com/
I wonder if they have an NKA that promotes the rights of Brits to use ridiculous knives :)
This is incredible and it has a powerful message. I wish people would accept this as it is and realize people need help. It's hard enough to talk about but spending two years on a sculpture? THAT deserves credit. I wish the government would hurry up and accept this as it is.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this project is less to take away knives = problems solved! I think it's more of a memorial or statement
its just the analogy of, a hammer could be used to build a house, the same way it can be used to smash somebodies head.. people kill people, not knives or guns, seriously, try it, put a gun on a table and egg it on to kill someone, you'll find that it sits there doing nothing, without your interaction..
Oddly no one mentions that as dangerous as this is if handled wrong, it would be exponentially more dangerous if made out of operational and loaded guns....
Weapons must be replaced with art. Read the poem here and transcend the phantasy: https://www.patreon.com/posts/1st-ken-boe-arts-13570807
Total number of homicides, murders, violent crimes = interesting, important to lower. Total number of "gun crimes" or "knife crimes" = nonsense, good for taking attention away from serious issues.
I find this very genious... It makes me think about the issue that if we could make the challenge to make a give and take habit on the very nature by planting a tree on every death person instead of a graveyard. Or to plant a several new trees for every tree that went down by chainsaws. This is to be seen as more then making a statement. A step further in ecologic responsabillity without the typical glammer of art. Recycle art is becoming more and more an inbedded familiar scene. It is so low that the government only sees the outlayers of this experiment.
I'm just not sure that a sculpture can or would make a difference. the kind of people who take a knife along to terrorise, injure, kill or 'for protection' are not going to see this as having any relevance to them. It's just a piece of art for those who like art to look at for a few moments, say 'how sad, how meaningful' and then walk on by.
Maybe violent crimes give Britain a bad light, they ever thought of that? Hiding a sculpture will not make the problem go away.
aside from the political debate of materials, I think it's an ugly monstrosity. though I always appreciate when hard work used and the thought of a project.
Although, very well done, this is nothing more than a monument to stupidity. Congrats Britain. Your cucking continues...
The English government is very much like our Australian government. Run by morons
lol UK is insane. Sounds like sketchy place to live in, if I can't even defend myself from stabbing and beatings.
SURRENDER YOUR KNIFE??? What a friggin joke!!! You Brits have completely lost touch with reality. I bet all those violent criminals were the first ones in line giving them up!! SMH
It is a good message and it took serious dedication. But violence is in people, you take away all their weapons , they will still find a way if they want to.we gotta give future generations a better sense or morality, otherwise they will keep doing what we do even if they only use their bare hands..
When Anarchy rules Britain I see a chance of this magnificent work being displayed, until then it will stay hidden as it encourages the use of force instead of reason.
Wonderful sculpture. Really interesting idea to begin with and it's great that he's raising awareness about the subject. Knife violence is all too common. The government is only making itself look worse by rejecting this artwork.
As clumsy as I am, I would have stabbed myself several times before this sculpture would have been finished haha
I think you meant Alfie Bradley. All of us at The British Ironwork Centre have worked very hard to raise awareness, we arranged for a mass knife amnesty throughout the UK and we often give talks at the centre. We need everyone's help and to sign the petition to make a change.
As if that stops production and use of new, sharp, lethal knives! What next? A sculpture made of guns, empty cartridges, deactivated bombs, decommissioned artillery ? Is that the answer to terrorism. Dumb idea.
It's just raising awareness for it and creating wow thing beautiful at the same time, no need to be so cynical and grumpy, I highly doubt you are doing anything to actually stop terrorism yourself but, if you are, congratulations and thank you!
Load More Replies...It is beautiful. If they still refuse it after the petition, he should go see the Game of thrones director. Seems like something that would fit pretty well in that universe.
An amazing sculpture showing how knives can be used in a creative way - it is only choice that makes the difference.
The reason there is increasing knife violence in the United Kingdom is because of strict gun-control laws. In the UK, guns don’t kill, knives do.
No Daniel, guns and knives do NOT kill. It is people who kill, by using those instruments. Big difference.
Load More Replies...Now make a statue out of Muslims. They seem to be killing Brits on a regular basis lately.
It is certainly worthy of being publicly displayed, It's a piece of art with a story to tell. It will invoke mixed reactions. I think it should be surrounded by a beautiful flower garden, as a show of respect for any beings that have suffered from the blades.
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I saw the beginning of this sculpture in a T.V.show and I am very happy to see it finished. I love it! and I think your governement does not understand the message you want to bring. I hope it gets a wonderfull place, to be seen by thousends how you can make beauty out of things with a negative past/usage.
I think this statue is astounding and beautiful and absolutely should be erected in Trafalgar Square!
This shows what an absolutely awful government we have but also, the title should say 'building', not 'to build', to use proper English. :)
Is there a petition to not put it up? I get that he worked hard on it. I just don't see the message. It's more like something out of Hannibal.
It's all blunt and it truly is beautiful, art doesn't have to have a point. If it did, this world would be very dull with little to no sculptures or paintings at all.
Load More Replies...that's incredible! i wonder how many times he got hurt while building it?
It is a powerful message and it should be displayed, but not out in the open for few reasons: one is safety, after all these are actual, probably still sharp knives and second the weather would quickly destroy it. I think some closed gallery space would be better, with sth around to not let people touch the knives and get hurt xD
People in Britain have not been disarmed of guns, most people don't own them never have and don't want to! The culture of carrying knives as weapons is a recent thing and the reason given is often self defence however this doesn't work and it is often the people that do that end up stabbed or stabbing someone else who is not armed with any weapon. Look what happens in the USA with all the people who have guns far more murders per head of population many more mass shootings often of and by children accidents with guns chilldren shooting siblings or parents when they access guns the parents don't secure properly, drive by gang shootings police who routinely draw weapons and often shoot unarmed people etc etc no thank you don't want that here you keep your guns over there the rest of us can go around with less chance of getting murdered .
Not a recent thing. In the Victorian times, gangs of kids with knives roamed London (probably other cities too), mugging and stabbing...
Load More Replies...Be careful Johnny. You are resorting to a little thing known as "Projection". And it states volumes about yourself more than others. ;D
Load More Replies...As the article states, they were blunted, so they can no longer cause harm. Also, I'm pretty sure they are properly fixed in their place, it probably isn't very easy to yank one off.
Load More Replies...Until people stop being childish and admit what the actual problems are, none of this will change. There is no such thing as "knife violence" or "gun violence" or "car violence". There are only violent human beings. You'll never get anywhere with combatting violence if you cannot even call it what it is - violent human beings.
You're absolutely right Jim. Weapons do not kill people. People kill people, who use certain tools for their own purposes. Amen.
Load More Replies...You cannot disarm innocent people of guns and then expect that criminals and violence will magically disappear. Instead of guns, they'll simply use another lethal weapon, and they have done exactly that.
Mark, you took the words right out of my mouth. Violent people will always find a way to channel that violence. That's why innocent people need to have the Liberty to protect themselves.
Load More Replies...Wow... amazing sculpture and a very powerful message. I do hope it'll be desplayed somewhere
@EloiseHanson: It's bad enough that you are using an easily researchable name as your username while you try to scam people, but trying to scam people in the comments of an article highlighting the amount of fatal stabbings in the UK? that's disrespectful and sad, Please excuse my language, but you need to f**k off and get a damn job to raise your income, and stop trying to get other people to do it for you.
Load More Replies...So, when you get rid of all the knives, and all of the caustic substances, the violent people will probably just start using blunt objects. Or broken glass. Or petrol. Has it ever occurred to anyone in the UK that maybe the problem is not going to be solved by removing anything that can be turned into a weapon? Because that is essentially impossible. On the other hand, when you remove the violent people from the population, knives and car batteries become harmless but useful objects again.
Now Britain's blaming knives for violence? Well, wake Parliament, they've got anti-knives legislation to work on.
In Italy, knife is a cold weapon. At least at the Court House and police.
Load More Replies...Take guns away. Evil will find another way. That way is knives. Take knifes away. Now they'll use belts or whtever. Knives ain't the problem
Belts? If only. The weapon of choice is now drain cleaner - 95% sulphuric acid. Gang members reportedly nickname this "face melter", so there can be no doubt that understand the devastating life-changing injuries this will cause.
Load More Replies...Just look at statistics and facts and you will see that guns are not nessescary. I no expert, but I live in Australia and it's far safer here than what I've seen of America. Of course, America is more popular and it's education system is worse, which could play into it. Not everything crappy that happens is because of guns, but making them illegal without a gun license is taking a step in the right direction. Criminals and violence won't magically disappear, but it will take a lot more effort to get a gun, which are more lethal than other easily accessible weapons (because, remember, guns are EASILY ACCESSABLE in America). Of course violent people are going to be violent, but maybe growing up without Bing surrounded by guns and people who use them, there will be less of a threat.
I think its important to make the distinction between urban gun culture and rural gun culture here. The US is a hugely diverse demographic, many large cities with serious gun violence problems, but many areas of rural country with people whom use guns for hunting or recreation. The latter is not usually the demographic you have to worry about committing violent crimes because *usually* rural people raised with firearms are well educated in their use within that culture. This kind of gun culture is vastly different than urban gun culture in which *many* people who keep guns do so for protection, status/power symbols or criminal activity. Of course these are generalizations and there are exceptions, but its important to state the difference between the two demographics. Being raised around guns is not the problem, the problem is the intent.
Load More Replies...I support him, but putting it on trafalgar square is pretty bad, it's filled with knifes and pointy ends; people will gett hurt on it. his art work is amazing but people are idiots and will hurt themselves on it.
I thought that too but also if its vandalised... Both in not just damage to the sculpture itsef but any loose part of the sculpture could be picked off and used again as a weapon. It would be better contained under glass or behind a fence in a large museum
Load More Replies...I signed the petition. I hope you get what you're fighting for. What you created is absolutely amazing and beautiful in its own way.
Jeeze so many downvotes, I meant I have chronic depression and wanna dIE
Load More Replies...The statue was rejected for Trafalgar Square but has been touring the country since 2018. Wikipedia has a list of its scheduled appearances.In Nov 2021 it's in Blackburn in Lancashire.
Take away the guns, then they just use a knife. So take away the knives they will just use clubs, so take them away they will just use rocks. Then what will you do? ANYTHING can be turned into a weapon so taking away everything that can be used as a weapon isn't going to stop people from hurting and killing each other. It's just human nature that some of us have all the violence in them that's missing from others. There's always going to be bad people that enjoy being bad and hurting others and destroying things. Just like there's always going to be good people and people that like to create things. We need to figure out what to do with the undesirable people or just face the fact that there's always going to be violence because violent people thrive on it and live for violence.
This is a splendid piece of art that makes a poignant statement. Just as we are dealing with a debate here in the US about gun crimes, it is important and valiant that the artist attempted to make a valid point with his work. It's a shame that it's being ignored by the British gov't for fear of "looking bad." From your friends and mutual metal art enthusiasts across the big pond here in Texas at http://finelineproduction.com/ - we applaud the artist!
This is a beautiful piece of artwork and makes a poignant statment. It's a shame that it's being ignored due to fear of making Britain look bad. We support the artist! From your friends and metal sculpture enthusiasts in Texas at: http://finelineproduction.com/
I wonder if they have an NKA that promotes the rights of Brits to use ridiculous knives :)
This is incredible and it has a powerful message. I wish people would accept this as it is and realize people need help. It's hard enough to talk about but spending two years on a sculpture? THAT deserves credit. I wish the government would hurry up and accept this as it is.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this project is less to take away knives = problems solved! I think it's more of a memorial or statement
its just the analogy of, a hammer could be used to build a house, the same way it can be used to smash somebodies head.. people kill people, not knives or guns, seriously, try it, put a gun on a table and egg it on to kill someone, you'll find that it sits there doing nothing, without your interaction..
Oddly no one mentions that as dangerous as this is if handled wrong, it would be exponentially more dangerous if made out of operational and loaded guns....
Weapons must be replaced with art. Read the poem here and transcend the phantasy: https://www.patreon.com/posts/1st-ken-boe-arts-13570807
Total number of homicides, murders, violent crimes = interesting, important to lower. Total number of "gun crimes" or "knife crimes" = nonsense, good for taking attention away from serious issues.
I find this very genious... It makes me think about the issue that if we could make the challenge to make a give and take habit on the very nature by planting a tree on every death person instead of a graveyard. Or to plant a several new trees for every tree that went down by chainsaws. This is to be seen as more then making a statement. A step further in ecologic responsabillity without the typical glammer of art. Recycle art is becoming more and more an inbedded familiar scene. It is so low that the government only sees the outlayers of this experiment.
I'm just not sure that a sculpture can or would make a difference. the kind of people who take a knife along to terrorise, injure, kill or 'for protection' are not going to see this as having any relevance to them. It's just a piece of art for those who like art to look at for a few moments, say 'how sad, how meaningful' and then walk on by.
Maybe violent crimes give Britain a bad light, they ever thought of that? Hiding a sculpture will not make the problem go away.
aside from the political debate of materials, I think it's an ugly monstrosity. though I always appreciate when hard work used and the thought of a project.
Although, very well done, this is nothing more than a monument to stupidity. Congrats Britain. Your cucking continues...
The English government is very much like our Australian government. Run by morons
lol UK is insane. Sounds like sketchy place to live in, if I can't even defend myself from stabbing and beatings.
SURRENDER YOUR KNIFE??? What a friggin joke!!! You Brits have completely lost touch with reality. I bet all those violent criminals were the first ones in line giving them up!! SMH
It is a good message and it took serious dedication. But violence is in people, you take away all their weapons , they will still find a way if they want to.we gotta give future generations a better sense or morality, otherwise they will keep doing what we do even if they only use their bare hands..
When Anarchy rules Britain I see a chance of this magnificent work being displayed, until then it will stay hidden as it encourages the use of force instead of reason.
Wonderful sculpture. Really interesting idea to begin with and it's great that he's raising awareness about the subject. Knife violence is all too common. The government is only making itself look worse by rejecting this artwork.
As clumsy as I am, I would have stabbed myself several times before this sculpture would have been finished haha
I think you meant Alfie Bradley. All of us at The British Ironwork Centre have worked very hard to raise awareness, we arranged for a mass knife amnesty throughout the UK and we often give talks at the centre. We need everyone's help and to sign the petition to make a change.
As if that stops production and use of new, sharp, lethal knives! What next? A sculpture made of guns, empty cartridges, deactivated bombs, decommissioned artillery ? Is that the answer to terrorism. Dumb idea.
It's just raising awareness for it and creating wow thing beautiful at the same time, no need to be so cynical and grumpy, I highly doubt you are doing anything to actually stop terrorism yourself but, if you are, congratulations and thank you!
Load More Replies...It is beautiful. If they still refuse it after the petition, he should go see the Game of thrones director. Seems like something that would fit pretty well in that universe.
An amazing sculpture showing how knives can be used in a creative way - it is only choice that makes the difference.
The reason there is increasing knife violence in the United Kingdom is because of strict gun-control laws. In the UK, guns don’t kill, knives do.
No Daniel, guns and knives do NOT kill. It is people who kill, by using those instruments. Big difference.
Load More Replies...Now make a statue out of Muslims. They seem to be killing Brits on a regular basis lately.
It is certainly worthy of being publicly displayed, It's a piece of art with a story to tell. It will invoke mixed reactions. I think it should be surrounded by a beautiful flower garden, as a show of respect for any beings that have suffered from the blades.
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I saw the beginning of this sculpture in a T.V.show and I am very happy to see it finished. I love it! and I think your governement does not understand the message you want to bring. I hope it gets a wonderfull place, to be seen by thousends how you can make beauty out of things with a negative past/usage.
I think this statue is astounding and beautiful and absolutely should be erected in Trafalgar Square!
This shows what an absolutely awful government we have but also, the title should say 'building', not 'to build', to use proper English. :)
Is there a petition to not put it up? I get that he worked hard on it. I just don't see the message. It's more like something out of Hannibal.
It's all blunt and it truly is beautiful, art doesn't have to have a point. If it did, this world would be very dull with little to no sculptures or paintings at all.
Load More Replies...that's incredible! i wonder how many times he got hurt while building it?
It is a powerful message and it should be displayed, but not out in the open for few reasons: one is safety, after all these are actual, probably still sharp knives and second the weather would quickly destroy it. I think some closed gallery space would be better, with sth around to not let people touch the knives and get hurt xD
People in Britain have not been disarmed of guns, most people don't own them never have and don't want to! The culture of carrying knives as weapons is a recent thing and the reason given is often self defence however this doesn't work and it is often the people that do that end up stabbed or stabbing someone else who is not armed with any weapon. Look what happens in the USA with all the people who have guns far more murders per head of population many more mass shootings often of and by children accidents with guns chilldren shooting siblings or parents when they access guns the parents don't secure properly, drive by gang shootings police who routinely draw weapons and often shoot unarmed people etc etc no thank you don't want that here you keep your guns over there the rest of us can go around with less chance of getting murdered .
Not a recent thing. In the Victorian times, gangs of kids with knives roamed London (probably other cities too), mugging and stabbing...
Load More Replies...Be careful Johnny. You are resorting to a little thing known as "Projection". And it states volumes about yourself more than others. ;D
Load More Replies...As the article states, they were blunted, so they can no longer cause harm. Also, I'm pretty sure they are properly fixed in their place, it probably isn't very easy to yank one off.
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