We believe this to be an exciting sector for collectors of fine art. It is a visual record of a vanished life. The loss of our heavy industries destroyed not only the work they gave to such a large proportion of our population, but, just as importantly, destroyed the communities which relied on them. Mutual support, shared social lives, and a sense of pride in working to support a family, however hard that work may be, are dwindling in many areas where a sense of purpose has been lost. There are few British industries left to foster a sense of working for the good of the Nation as well as self and family.

How many of us have not got some connection with these industries in our past? How many of us do not feel proud of what they have achieved, and sad at their passing? As a Teessider I find our final ‘Ta-ta’ to the steel industry particularly ironic.

We can remember them and pay homage to them through the art they produced. Mining art is particularly relevant in this context, being produced by working miners. The late Tom McGuinness (1926-2006) was a giant of the genre. From Witton Park, in County Durham, Tom became A Bevan Boy in 1944 and spent many years both working underground and developing his skills as an
artist. He trained part time at Darlington School of Art, was a member of the Sketching Club at the Spennymoor Settlement and studied art at Durham University Extra Mural Department. He exhibited at the Stone Gallery in Newcastle together with Norman Cornish and Joseph Herman in 1969. In our opinion his work is superior to the regular Stone Gallery artist, L.S. Lowry, who painted as an obsever rather than a participator. His expressionist depiction of work underground shows his involvement and emotion, enabling us to experience with him the dark and cramped confinement, intensely and clearly.

Still hugely undervalued, we believe that mining art should prove an excellent long-term investment. Even if this is not the case, owning these works will be a means of paying tribute to a lost piece of British life and passing on a very meaningful depiction of it to future generations. Our Harrogate Staithes Group Plus Exhibitions allow you to see the full extent of our stock of works in this genre.