Banners exhibition tell story of strike and struggle
Community artists explore the legacy of the Cramlington train wreckers to help mark the centenary of the General Strike. Tony Henderson reports
The struggles of workers during the 1926 General Strike are providing the inspiration for a new exhibition which will be seen by thousands of Tyneside travellers.
A display of banners will be created by individuals who have their own experiences of facing difficulties.
A creative health charity which works with communities across North Tyneside, Northumberland, Newcastle and South Tyneside will be presenting the exhibition in the Bridge Gallery at Tynemouth Metro Station from June 27-July 12 to commemorate the centenary of the General Strike.
North Tyneside Art Studio (NTAS), an advocate of the arts in the region for mental health and wellbeing, is working with Wisecrack Productions, who are staging South Shields writer Ed Waugh’s play The Cramlington Train Wreckers at Newcastle Theatre Royal in July.
The event, which saw the Flying Scotsman inadvertently derailed at Cramlington by striking miners, resulted in eight pitmen being sentenced to a total of 48 years’ penal servitude.
More than 30 participants from NTAS will contribute to the exhibition, which will include large-scale banners depicting individual and group responses to the story through painting and textiles.
The charity works with people who may be struggling with issues such as mental health, loneliness, isolation or bereavement.
Jess Kinnersley, NTAS creative support worker and project lead, said: “This exhibition is being developed by our members looking for a connection to the event and how the universal themes of community and connection matter as much today as they did 100 years ago.
“We’ve been hosting weekly workshops for the past two months, exploring the story and using the theme ‘Broken Lines’, which helps people focus not only on the physical act of breaking the train lines but also, importantly, the human elements of the story – human struggles, lives changed and communities divided.”
Paul Hillier, NTAS chief executive officer, said: “The Cramlington Wreckers project gives our community a unique opportunity to explore creativity at scale, build friendships and confidence, and support positive mental health and wellbeing.
“Tens of thousands of people will see the display. We hope it will stimulate discussions on the impact creativity has on mental health.
“The project is about lost voices, the universality of struggle, the sense of not getting a fair share and the struggle for rights which are relevant today in many ways.”
NTAS is based at Royal Quays Retail Park in North Shields but will soon move into a new permanent space in Longbenton Community Centre. Anyone interested in finding out more about NTAS can contact info.ntartstudio@gmail.com or call 07586 821804.