DARREN COFFIELD – ASHES AND DIAMONDS
2013-08-05Ashes and Diamonds, an art exhibition by acclaimed painter Darren Coffield examining the minerʼs strike of the early 1980s.
Coffield is noted for his fine art portraiture, such as his painting of Nova magazine editor and 60s scenester Molly Parkin that hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. But for Ashes and Diamonds Coffield has employed urban art influences “to communicate with the grandchildren of the miners and their families.” As a result the work is sometimes stark and uncompromising, simultaneously echoing the sombre nature of populist agitant art during the 1980s.
Inspired by former Derbyshire miner John Dunn, Coffield has created many of the pieces on display using coal obtained from the National Union of Mineworkers branch at Maltby Colliery in South Yorkshire which was officially closed in April 2013. Some pieces feature incendiary motifs in a stencil art style including the word “scab” hanging from the gallows. A stirring poster evocative of mass entertainment posters, commemorates The Battle of Orgreave in which miners were attacked by police, “Work” is a study of a coal plant in a democratic style reflecting the personal attachment many miners had with their place of employment. The emotive subject matter of such works as “Clockwork Orgreave” has been of particular relevance recently given the inquiries into police brutality and cover-ups at events such as Orgreave and Hillsborough.
Exhibition runs through to August 31st, 2013
The Outsiders Newcastle
77 Quayside
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3DE
UK
