'Unity' (Sculpture work 2013)

This collection of twenty concrete hands was entered into the Nottingham Young Creative Awards 2013 competition 'Hidden Nottingham' winning the Visual Arts category. 

The hands represent the hidden history of coal miners in Nottingham during the second world war.  It celebrates their heroic efforts of this dangerous profession risking their lives to help power Britain.  All of the hands are unique, cast in concrete using twenty volunteers; symbolising the individuality of each forgotten miner.  The hands are rough, dirty and chipped reflecting the extreme conditions the men had to face together.

The work explores the fears surrounding claustrophobia and the relationship of the audience and space,  as well as the juxtaposition of two worlds: working class / upper class.  The hands were placed in and around a coal mine installation giving a sense of team work and unity.