Kansas Snapshots by Gloria Freeland - July 25, 2025

Art that makes me think

Yes, husband Art does make me think, but what I'm referring to here doesn't come with a capital “A.” However, much of it is big - like the 20-foot-tall green Hulk with his left foot firmly planted on a smashed car. The sign next to him says, "Speed kills. ... Keep your speed down."

The cannon of a tank with an Israeli flag is pointed at a Palestinian flag. The message? "If we don't end war, war will end us."

But other sculptures spread across the 70-acre landscape are just whimsical in nature. There's Pumbaa from "The Lion King," Olaf from "Frozen," a Christmas gnome, exotic animals, dinosaurs, super heroes, and more.

The British Ironwork Centre is located a mile southeast of Oswestry, England. It began as a family business more than 50 years ago that focused on the versatility of iron. It produced items such as patio tables, lawn chairs, plant hangers, and various decorative items for the home and yard.

But over time, its vision widened. Now billed as "art with a conscience," it became a space where art is not just pleasing to the eye, but also raises awareness, inspires change, and spurs action around social and environmental issues - climate change, protection of wildlife, and the fight against cruelty and waste.

The transition wasn't without its challenges. As the business grew, so did traffic, and the local council was unhappy the owners hadn't applied for permission to make the changes. But it was attracting so many tourists to the area that the council couldn't really do much more than complain about not being consulted.

Art - the one with the big "A" - first visited in 2016 when it was little more than a quirky business with a small restaurant. But as the years passed, more and more cars came. Then the tour buses began arriving. An entrance fee was added just to get into the store.

But its quirkiness and the company's dedication to recycling and re-using waste make it well worth a visit. The giant sculptures aren't made from steel bought from a mill, but of recycled iron, car parts, gears, and other materials. Small signs here and there alert visitors as to what kinds of items - such as appliances that normally would end up in a landfill - the company will take off their hands.

The result is that while it's an interesting place for children and adults alike, it's also a place for reflection.

Grandson Josh, who was with us in Wales for a week in June, said it was one of his favorite spots. How often do you hear that sort of appraisal from a fellow in his 30s?

"Adopted” German son Tim and his sons Mats and Timo spent time on the grounds earlier this month. Tim said the boys usually complain if they have to walk far, asking, "when will we get there?" But they didn't ask on the Ironworks grounds. They loved the larger-than-life-size Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Spiderman, and other super heroes as well as the animals.

"They were impressed by the pure size of the sculptures," Tim said. "When they saw the big spider, they asked, 'Is it alive?' 'Should we be afraid?' 'Should we fight it with swords or run away?'"

The "Spoon Gorilla" - created from more than 40,000 spoons donated by children around the world - was also a hit.

The Ironworks tries to involve children in projects as much as possible. The "National School Crisps Packet Challenge" urges students to collect bags of the types that potato chips are packaged in. They are then donated to an organization that re-purposes them, such as making "survival blankets" for the homeless.

The company also loans clownfish, dolphins, and other wire sculptures to schools to raise awareness about the plight of the ocean. The project challenges children to find new uses for plastic items, such as turning milk jugs into plant pots or plastic bottle caps into flower bouquets.

Perhaps the star attraction is the Knife Angel, which has become a national icon used in the fight against violence and aggression. He is 27-feet high with a face twisted in anguish and his hands reaching out as if to say, "Why?"

Created by Alfie Bradley, the sculpture was made from more than 100,000 knives seized by or surrendered to police forces across the UK in 2015 and 2016. Thirty percent of the knives arrived in bio-hazard tubes, meaning they still had blood on them. The purpose of the Knife Angel is to highlight the negative effects of violent behavior, while serving as a memorial to those who have lost their lives to knife violence. The sculpture has been on a national tour since 2018 with stops in various locations such as Hull, Coventry, Birmingham, Chester, Durham, Guildford and others.

Friend Deb saw the Knife Angel in 2018, and said it was "very cool, but eerie also." Tim said he was fascinated by it because of the materials used, the way it was made, and the message it conveys.

A current project for the Ironworks is a 100-foot-by-25-foot sculpture, "The World is Watching." It will contain 10,000 lenses from eye glasses and will remind those in power that people are watching and will hold political leaders accountable for their actions.

Yet other pieces are just quirky. Deb loved the seating area made from car body parts. "... Had never seen anything like that. ... Some talented artists created some unique pieces."

Deb bought a clock framed by a mini metal bicycle, which she displays on her kitchen counter at home. When daughter Mariya and wife Miriam visited, they bought a metal hippo for their nursery.

But the mementos I most value are my photos. They remind me of unique art that sparked my curiosity as well as made me think.