Drawing with Coal: UK – Poland

17/06/25 –  05/07 /25

Opening Times:
Tues – Fri: 10am – 3pm
Sat: 11am – 4pm

Drawing With Coal: UK – Poland is a personal exhibition that reflects my journey through the industrial landscapes of both the UK and Poland. Through charcoal drawings created on-site, I explore the rich history of coal mining and shipbuilding, two industries that have shaped communities, economies, and identities. This exhibition serves as both a tribute and a dialogue, honouring the resilience of workers and the lasting impact of industry on our cultural heritage.

As someone who has found inspiration in both countries, I am drawn to the parallels between their histories. My time spent walking the coalfields of Upper Silesia, sketching the structures of collieries, and immersing myself in these industrial environments has deepened my connection to Poland’s mining heritage. At the same time, I continue my work across the UK, documenting sites that reflect the country’s past.

This exhibition features drawings made on location, expanding my ongoing Drawing With Coal series. Key sites include: UK – Lancashire Mining Museum at Astley Green, National Coal Mining Museum for England, Chatterley Whitfield Colliery Heritage Centre, Port Talbot, Wales and Cefn Coed Colliery Museum. Poland – Zabytkowa Kopalnia Ignacy Rybnik, Park Tradycji Siemianowice Śląskie, Wieże KWK Polska w Świętochłowicach, Szyb Krystyna Bytom, Muzeum Hutnictwa w Chorzowie and Muzeum Produkcji Zapałek w Częstochowie.

Many of these former industrial sites are now protected as museums or Scheduled Monuments, preserving their cultural and historical significance for future generations. The Gdansk Shipyard, known for its pivotal role in Poland’s industrial heritage and its connection to global events like the Solidarity movement, offers a fascinating contrast to the history of Liverpool’s docks and port. These connections between two nations, shaped by coal, steel, and the sea, resonate throughout my work.

Beyond history, this exhibition is also about community. With an established Polish community in Southport and Liverpool, I hope to create a space where shared heritage can be reflected upon, remembered, and reimagined through art.