ONE YEAR! Photographs From the Miners’ Strike 1984—85

ONE YEAR! Photographs from the Miners’ Strike 1984-85, is a new book coinciding with the touring exhibition, of the same name. Made in collaboration with exhibition curator Isaac Blease, this comprehensive volume features over 200 pages of powerful work from nine photographers, ephemera related to the strike, and insightful texts and interviews. Honouring the original exhibition shown at The Martin Parr Foundation earlier this year.

Marking the 40th anniversary of one of Britain’s longest and most bitter disputes, the book and exhibition explore the vital role photographs played during the year-long struggle against pit closures including many materials drawn from the Martin Parr Foundation collection. The industrial action, which began in Yorkshire, was led by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and its President, Arthur Scargill, against the National Coal Board (NCB). The Conservative government under Margaret Thatcher opposed the strikes and aimed to reduce the power of the trade unions.

The book includes photographs by Brenda Prince, John Sturrock, John Harris, Jenny Matthews, Roger Tiley, Imogen Young and Chris Killip, as well as photo albums compiled by Philip Winnard who was himself a striking miner. Sequenced in a chronology which tells the complete history the year-long strike through these powerful, iconic photographs.

Following on, the second half of the book showcases ephemera relating to the strike. Including posters, vinyl records, plates, badges and publications – which are supported by contemporary texts, talks and interviews from the featured photographs, these texts are exclusively available in this book. Collectively, the materials demonstrate the power and the contradictions inherent in using photography as a tool of resistance.

“One reason why photography is so powerful is that certain images will always remind us of any event. These are more effective than film footage for example. I think for the Miners’ Strike the image by John Harris of the policeman on a horse hitting out with his truncheon towards a cowering woman is one such example. We demonstrate how this image is used in many different forms, from badges to posters. It has become a defining image of the strike.”

— From the afterword by Martin Parr