Winged Sculpture Pays Tribute to Health and Social Care ‘Angels’

A four-metre tall sculpture of a winged medical worker is paying tribute to NHS and social care ‘angels’ on the frontline in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19).

Black Country sculptor Luke Perry has created the angelic figure from steel and other metals in his factory in Cradley Heath and he has worked with Sandwell Council to install it at Lightwoods Park in Bearwood.

The sculpture is located on the Hagley Road West side of Lightwoods Park on a key commuter route used by many hospital and care workers travelling to and from Birmingham and the Black Country.

The temporary installation, called Wings and Scrubs, bears the inscription ‘Thank you NHS and Care Workers’ and can also be seen by people taking their daily exercise at the park.

The sculpture, which was unveiled on Wednesday 7th May, is a private donation and has not been funded by any public money.

Luke’s long friendship with Oscar Nolan – a paediatric heart consultant at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital – and his recent conversations with Oscar about those working for the NHS were the inspiration for the sculpture.
Luke, who lives in Stourbridge, said: “Like everyone, I have family members who owe their lives to the NHS and I wanted to create a piece of public art that captures the huge public outpouring of thanks to our health and care workers at this time.