Created during the Coronavirus pandemic, ‘Guardian Angel’ personifies the now commonplace safety measures of covering your face and social distancing, which are likely to continue into the future as part of the ‘new normal’.

In many different cultures and religions throughout history, there is the belief that each person is assigned a Guardian Angel, to act as a silent protector and guide. This long association makes an angel ideal for delivering the ‘Hands, Face, Space’ message, being an enduring symbol of purity and faith, separate from contemporary politics and misinformation. Social distancing and face covering are simple but effective safety measures, which would be beneficial to maintain into the future.

The overall shape of the sculpture is a reference to the Caduceus, or Staff of Hermes, used as a symbol for messengers, medicine and healthcare. Reminiscent of a knight in plate armour, the Angel has a Gorget and Pauldrons covering the neck and shoulders. These additional pieces conceal the arm connection points, and complements the Angel’s identity as an armoured protector.

The sculpture is life-size, equal to the artist’s height, and is made from sheet steel, featuring a brushed finish protected by lacquer. The body and arms are shaped using the ‘Aeroforming Process’, where two sheets are welded into an airtight envelope, which is then injected with compressed air to inflate it like a balloon, transforming the flat sheets into three dimensional objects.