MARKING 40 YEARS SINCE THE MINERS’ STRIKE

The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum continues the celebration of its 150th anniversary with a new art exhibition by Andrew Hay, Darkness on the Edge of Democracy - The Miners’ Strike, 40 Years On.

2024 is a landmark year for The Stirling Smith.  Not only is the museum celebrating its 150th anniversary and the 900th year of Stirling as a Royal Burgh of Scotland, but 2024 also marks 40 years since the Miners’ Strike began.  This strike has become a key moment in Scotland’s history and its effects have left their mark on many communities across Stirling, Scotland, and the whole of the UK.

The Miners’ Strike had a significant impact on Andrew Hay’s artistic career in 1984.  At the time, he was working as a shop steward for the Transport and General Workers’ Union.  He took part in the Strike by organising and delivering food parcels to mining communities. Bearing witness to such a monumental movement in history inspired him to paint scenes from the Strike in Scotland which would be purchased by People’s Palace, thus igniting his artistic career at age 39.

Darkness on the Edge of Democracy is an artistic assessment of the political agenda that led up to and followed the Strike.  In addition to painting, Andrew creates collages with found objects such as coal bags and wallpaper to bridge the gap between mining life and art. 

“Through the exhibition I hope to shed light on the complex nature of the 1984 Miners’ Strike”, said Andrew, “not just a battle for jobs or the closure of pits, but as a clandestine agenda by the Thatcher Government to impose a new economic model on British society.”

His artwork traces this back to 1973 Chile, when a violent military coup overthrew the government and forced a new economic system. By 1984, Thatcher, would adopt a similar model, leading to what Andrew contends was a bigger disparity between the rich and poor for the next 40 years.

Sadly, Andrew passed away earlier this year, while still working on Darkness on the Edge of Democracy. It was Andrew’s wish that the exhibition would go ahead, and The Stirling Smith is pleased to be able to honour his request.

Caroline Mathers, Director of museum said:

“The Smith Art Gallery and Museum is glad to honour Andrew’s final wish that we go ahead with his exhibition during the 40th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike.  It was vitally important to Andrew that these works are seen, as a visual reminder of the devastation the strikes had on mining communities.

“Andrew was a lifelong advocate of the miners, starting of as a Shop Steward and later telling their stories through his paintings. He leaves an important legacy, one that will echo louder because of his dedication to recording the difficult things history often tries to forget.”

An opening event for this exhibition, which runs until 30 June, will be held Friday 19 April, 6-8pm.