Before and After Coal: Images and Voices from Scottish Coal Mining Communities

This touring exhibition explores the history and lasting impact of coal through photographs and voices from Scottish mining communities. In 1982, American photographer Milton Rogovin came to Scotland to photograph Scottish miners at their pits, in their homes, and during their leisure time. Forty years on from the Miners’ Strike in 1984, the artist, Nicky Bird has updated Rogovin’s documentation by meeting with individuals and families connected with the original photographs.

Their stories focus on themes of family, community spirit, work and place, expressing ideas and feelings about what has changed and what has endured. The results of this engagement are at the heart of this exhibition of new work created with Bird in response to Rogovin’s images.

Organised by The National Galleries of Scotland