Concept:
Groundwork was asked to develop a concept for the creation of a national memorial which acknowledged all the people who lived their lives as part of a mining community, along with those who lost their lives down the pits.
A draft design was drawn up taking reference from the local mining heritage in the materials and the curved wall concept was developed. Groundwork implemented the hard landscaping scheme and an artist commission was developed which then saw Stephen Broadbent appointed to bring the larger concept to life.
The final piece consisted of a large curved screen suggesting a seam of coal, pierced by the workings of a mine. Channels were cut to represent the shafts and levels, plus the undulating shape of the screen itself, serves to lighten the overall impression and let wind pass through the structure. Each channel takes the form of a groove sitting between two sheets of steel into which a coloured glass disc is inserted. Each disc contains the name of a miner, his colliery and relevant dates.
Further funding sought by Groundwork on behalf of the mining museum saw the installation of the centre piece by Artist Dan Jones which bore the title piece ‘Live Lived, Lives Lost.’
