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@brokenbetty
I was in Newcastle in the 90s when the Angel of the North was planned and built. "They" (ie prevailing public opinion) said exactly the same things about that then. Now "they" love it.
My take back then, which I still stand by, was "Money spent on Big Art turns into wages for material, labour and suchlike no different to money spent on a new ship or hotel. So if the NE can score some cash to build Art when no one is spending cash on ships and hotels go for it. Once people get used to seeing it as a landmark that tells them they are "home" they will love it."
The regenerated quayside was basically built off a few big public art projects.
Personally I think the AoN is a much better artwork, but then I still have a 90s Art as Product aesthetic so I hate lumpy colourful faux-naive art.