New artwork celebrating the lives of former miners of African Caribbean heritage who worked at the former Gedling Colliery has gone on display to coincide with Black History Month.
The painting created by local artist, Honey Williams in collaboration with ‘Digging Deep‘ project volunteers called No Joke, will be displayed on the first floor of the Council’s Civic Centre for the next few weeks, alongside interpretation boards with information about the history of the men and women who worked at the former pit, which is now home to Gedling Country Park.
Dr Norma Gregory, a leading Black British historian and author from the local area, has been working with Gedling Borough Council to help showcase the lives of the people who worked at the ‘Pit of Nations’ for over 100 years.
She said: “We are so pleased that Gedling Borough Council has offered to display this important piece of collective, community art, which tells a story of this incredibly significant chapter of Gedling’s history.
Reclaiming Narratives, as a theme of BHM 2024, helps to ensure that the history and lives of industrial workers are not forgotten, so it’s great that this artwork will be displayed in such a prominent part of Gedling Borough Council with the hope that it continues to inspire, enlighten and educate communities nationally and overseas, through new touring exhibitions, in the near future.”
The mix-media artwork depicts the story of the miners and is made up of layers of archive and contemporary photos, newspaper cuttings and other materials, linking tradition and symbolism through art interpretation.
Its idea to represent black miners’ heritage through creative artistry was originally conceived by Dr Gregory in 2015 and was then commissioned and created in 2018 with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
It has been displayed across Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire in several major exhibitions that highlight the important history of diverse communities contributing, within and beyond the local area.
Councillor Kathryn Fox, Portfolio Holder for Life Chances and Vulnerability, said: “The mural brings the lives of the miners to life, and it’s the coming together of all of those stories.
It’s important we remember the history of the mining industry that was such a key part of our borough, especially in the Gedling Village area.
“I would recommend people come and take a look at this incredibly powerful piece of art.”
