George Mallalieu Miners’ Strike Drawings

See three powerful drawings on the theme of the 1984/85 Miners’ Strike by artist George Mallalieu, on display in our Ramp Area, The Hub.

The drawings were recently donated to the Museum and are on display for the first time. They are preparatory drawings for a large diptych (two paintings side by side creating a single work of art) entitled ‘The Miners Strike, 1984-85’. It is possible that the diptych was lost in a fire at the artist’s studio so these drawings are currently all that remain to give us a glimpse of the final piece.

George Mallalieu was born in Oldham in 1941. He studied at Stoke College of Art and Manchester Regional College of Art before becoming an art lecturer, rising to be Head of Fine Art, Painting, at the North Staffordshire Polytechnic (now Staffordshire University). In the 1960s George’s studio was in an area of Staffordshire called Mow Cop. Whilst painting there he taught part time and also worked in small private coal mines called footrails; shallow drift mines or adits.

A lifelong socialist, much of the artist’s work was politically driven. He also championed the empowerment of women.

The book Tea bag shadow: The Art of George Mallalieu is available to buy from Barewall Art Gallery.