Photograph: Joe Copley
Gary Wilkinson introduces his exhibition BLACK HOLE about the socio-political-economic black hole the mining communities found themselves in following the miners’ strike.
Following the 1984/85 miners’ strike, the mining communities found themselves in a socio-political-economic BLACK HOLE, the effects of which led to their disintegration. The strike and subsequent pit closures had a profound and lasting impact, leading to widespread unemployment, social deprivation and a decline in community spirit. The social inequality in these left-behind areas brought a loss of identity, mental health issues and alcohol-fuelled violence.
Photograph: Joe Copley
Generations who were born and bred to work down the mines faced an uncertain future of life on the dole, the economic hardship of which would lead some down the path of criminality. The once powerful voice of the mineworkers was lost, and in a divisive political environment, these staunchly left wing areas that previously had strength in their unity, began to fracture and move towards the right.
Photograph: Emma Tweddle
The exhibition features hand-painted miners’ banners showing union leaders and champions of the workers’ movement that were often featured on colliery banners throughout the mining communities; Keir Hardie, Robert Smillie, Manny Shinwell, Clement Atlee, A. J. Cook and Thomas Burt.
The banners are painted in a style that references the significant usage of photocopying during the miners’ strike to communicate the miners’ struggle and promote fundraising events. The continued photocopying which leads to the disintegration of the image is utilized to suggest the disintegration of the mining communities.
Photograph: Emma Tweddle
The full BLACK HOLE exhibition also includes films, one of which depicts the journey the artist’s father would take to do his ‘fore shift’ down the pit. The second film conveys the loss of identity felt in the mining communities following the pit closures.
The audio from the films was released as a vinyl and cassette album on the Industrial Coast label. The album launch included a banner procession and photography from that event is shown here and included as part of the BLACK HOLE exhibition.
