The Knife Angel

In 2014, the 'Save A Life, Surrender Your Knife' campaign was born when the Chairman of the British Ironwork Centre in Shropshire, Clive Knowles, was struck by the large amount of  violent knife crimes being reported within the media. Known for his passion and commitment to tackling social issues through his dedication to art, Clive felt immediately compelled to find a way to make a real difference by highlighting this devastating national issue.

The Ironworks began to reach out to families, communities and cities affected by these horrific acts of violence and the response was tremendous with many mothers, families and loved ones already working tirelessy to help raise better awareness surrounding these heinous asts. Inspired by their desperation and unrelenting vigour, the campaign truly began. Alongside artist Alfie Bradley, the Ironworks designed a sculpture that would be powerful whilst simultaneously carrying the voices of victims and familles in a sensitive light. Working alongside the Home Office, the Ironworks sought permission to approach and work in collaboration with all 43 police constabularies across the UK. The Ironworks offered to fund and provide all knife banks, only asking that each constabulary commited to holding an amnesty or a surrender campaign to raise awareness and better educate their communities about knife crime.

Through these knife banks, thousands of weapons were collected, cleaned and blunted, ready to form an integral part of the final Knife Angel sculpture. Those Families who had experienced knife crime first-hand were invited to come into the Centre to engrave their message onto the blade, many taking the opportunity to share their stories. These blades were then all strategically placed to form the Knife Angel itself, giving life to what is now known as the National Monument Against Violenve and Aggression.

Since its conception, the Knife Angel's purpose was always to evoke emotion, raise better awareness and to above all else, make an all-important change. Through tne Ironwork's Agreement of Conscience, every hosting location is fully commited to conducting 28-days of intensive educational workshops and programmes for their community youth.

Believing that appropriate education is at the heart of this national issue, it is very important that every hosting city utilises the Angel as a point of tuition to educate its youth and regional school children about how knife crime, and all types of violent behaviour, negatively affects our lives within every community.

It is also important that each city establishes a permanent educational programme surrounding anti-violence so that their efforts continue to reverse the tide on this behaviour long after the Angel has moved on. Through this, all hosting locations are also asked to submit a post-appraisal detailing their future educational initiatives and plans, as well as how they have brought about educational awareness during their tenancy of the monument for the benefit of their communities and children.

https://www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk/the-knife-angel-official/

Alex Fox