Mining artist’s retrospective (From Durham Times)

Mining artist’s retrospective

2:18pm Friday 22nd January 2010

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THE way of life of a Durham miner is told in a fascinating exhibition which opens in Durham tomorrow.

My Mining Days at the University of Durham’s Grey College comprises pictures by Tom Lamb, 81.

When he was 14, he started work in 1942 at the Busty Pit, Craghead Colliery, near Stanley. He discovered he had a talent for drawing while convalescing from diphtheria as a teenager.

With no formal art training, he nevetheless produced powerful pictures of what life was like underground.

Mr Lamb, of Durham, said: “Whenever the opportunity arose, I would sketch my fellow miners at work. It was the greatest and most monumental experience, portraying my brother and mates as they toiled with strained, clenched muscles in the dark, wet and dangerous conditions underground.

“These figures struck a deep chord in me, and I was very aware of both an emotional and visual experience brought about by seeing the courage, sorrow and sometimes even death of the working miner in the environment.”

Prof Henry Dyson, who organised the exhibition, said: “This is a truly magnificent collection and a very relevant one for the North-East. Tom’s paintings and drawings realistically and beautifully record a bygone age.

“With an unflinching eye and without sentimentality or sanitisation, he shows the harsh conditions miners worked in.

“The images are not just aesthetically pleasing, nor just glimpses of social and industrial history, but fine examples of drawing and oil painting.”

Prof Dyson said the college was delighted to host such a wonderful exhibition.

“Soon mining life will no longer be a living memory, so it is important these images are displayed,” he added.

My Mining Days runs until February 21; all the paintings are for sale.

The exhibition is open daily, from 10am-6pm; weekday visits are strictly by appointment. Ring reception on 0191-334-5900 or email grey.reception@durham.ac.uk.

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