Verdigris "Helen" Hedgehog Cast Aluminium Sculpture

The British Ironworks Centre is home to the largest collection of decorative metalwork in the UK. We have always strived to create amazing and controversial art using scrap metals, recycled materials and even plastic. Some of these items have included weapons, old car parts, obsolete hospital equipment, sports equipment, and even the humble toothbrush! We use the finished art works to convey and promote important messages of anti-violence with the need to reuse, recycle,  and address ‘over-consumption’. We are the creators of the renowned and iconic ‘Knife-Angel’, the much loved ‘Spoon Gorilla’ and the ‘Manchester Bee’; created in the wake of the terrorist bombing in Manchester which saw many innocents lose their lives . We are huge advocates of education in schools; teaching early the importance of caring for the planet. We use our sculpture park to show the effects of climate change and habitat erosion, and we use projects and competitions to encourage hands-on participation in exciting ways. We believe that ‘investment now’ holds the key to a brighter, safer and more attainable future for all.