The Ashington Group (Pitmen Painters)
Be like Robson Green in the ITV Perspectives documentary and discover the artwork of a remarkable group of men - The Pitmen Painters.
Only at Woodhorn you can see the stunning Ashington Group Collection of work. This unique collection of more than 80 paintings was compiled by the original members of The Group themselves over many years. They felt the paintings represented the very best of their work.
The Group largely made up of coal miners (or pitmen as they are known), first came together in 1934 through the Workers Education Association to study 'something different' - art appreciation. In an effort to understand what it was all about, their tutor Robert Lyon encouraged them to learn by doing it themselves.
What they produced was fascinating and if a picture paints a thousand words, these pitmen's paintings speak more eloquently than any photograph. They captured every aspect of life in and around their mining community, above and below ground, from the scenes around the kitchen table and in the allotment to the dangerous and dirty world of the coal face.
This amazing story of The Ashington Group inspired the wonderful play by Billy Elliot writer, Lee Hall. "Pitmen Painters" has received rave reviews for sell-out performances in the North East and the National Theatre in London. In September 2010, New York audiences too were enthralled by the story when it opened on Broadway! Click here to have a look at the Manhattan Theatre Club website with photographs, reviews and interviews. This year the play, with many of the original cast, is once again on the road performing at venues across the UK before hitting the stage in the West End of London (October - February), and versions are also playing in the US and New Zealand.
Today the Ashington Group is acclaimed worldwide, yet back in the 1930s none of them would have dreamed that a few evening classes would bring them such fame and international attention.
Books, Prints and Posters
If you have been inspired by the play, book or even the artworks themselves and would like your own print of one of the Ashington Group Collection, you can see the images, costs and download an order form here. The following paintings are also available as preprinted posters from the Woodhorn shop at a cost of £9.95 (plus £3.95 postage per order):
Fish and Chips by Fred Laidler
Whippets by George Blessed
Wash house by Len Robinson
Bait Time by Jimmy Floyd
Pigeon Crees by Jimmy Floyd
Shifting by George Brownrigg
Progging the Mat by Oliver Kilbourn
Spring Fever by Len Robinson
H’way Sandy by Oliver Kilbourn
Miner Setting the prop in low seam by Oliver Kilbourn
Prints are available of other images produced by the artists including Oliver Kilbourn's My Life as a Pitman Collection and The Window (with the vase of flowers) by Jimmy Floyd as shown in the play. Please look at the Archives catalogue here.
If you would like to read more about the Ashington Group you might like to purchase a copy of the original Pitmen Painters book by William Feaver (£12.95), the Ashington Group Catalogue (£4.00) and the My Life as a Pitman catalogue (£3.00) which are all available from Woodhorn (+£3.95 p&p). You can order by telephone Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 4pm on 01670 528019 or contact the shop at retail@woodhorn.org.uk.
If you'd be interested in guided tours (for group visits) of the main Ashington Group Collection plus other paintings that aren't available to the general public including Oliver Kilbourn's My Life as a Pitman collection, please drop us a line education&groupbookings@woodhorn.org.uk
The Ashington Group Collection is on permanent display in a dedicated gallery with the support of the Ashington Group Trustees.
If you would like to find out what Robson Green thought of the Pitmen Painters, have a look here.
Why not take a look at the Ashington Group's own website: www.ashingtongroup.co.uk