Astonishing art inspired by Salford coal miners who shone a light on arthritis
- Exhibition runs 21-24 January
- Artist Nicola Dale inspired by University's x-ray archive
- The x-rays underpinned the ‘Kellgren & Lawrence’ classification system for osteoarthritis, still in worldwide use today
A new collection of artworks on display in Salford (21-24 January) has been inspired by x-rays taken from Salford’s coal-miners in the 1950s which helped establish a world-wide method of classifying the severity of osteoarthritis.
worked as artist in residence at The ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp’s during 2015 and was inspired by the x-ray archive held in the Centre.
Between 1950-1952, the University’s Dr John Lawrence studied the relationship between occupation and arthritis. He collected x-rays from local miners (the majority from Salford) and his study found that miners had more degenerative spinal disease.
The x-rays underpinned the ‘Kellgren & Lawrence’ classification system for osteoarthritis, still in worldwide use today.
Taking Dr Lawrence’s x-rays as her starting point, Nicola has created a new body of work that encompasses sculpture, collage and photography. It is primarily concerned with the idea of illumination: from the lightbox needed to read x-rays and the flickering of the miner’s lamp, to the lightbulb moments that inspire scientists and artists alike.
Speaking to miners has been like getting the x-rays to talk to me – it’s really bought them to life. I have learned so much about what it was like to work in such a tough job. The miners’ memories have been really inspiring
Through interviews and workshops, she has also engaged with local miners and current arthritis patients to create a mysterious and beautiful exhibition.
She said: “Speaking to miners has been like getting the x-rays to talk to me – it’s really bought them to life. I have learned so much about what it was like to work in such a tough job. The miners’ memories have been really inspiring.”
Dr Will Dixon is Director of the Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology and an Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist at . He said: “Nicola’s inspirational artwork encapsulates the science of epidemiology: the study of the occurrence and determinants of disease in populations.
“Drawing on the strong heritage of arthritis research in ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp and Salford, it captures the insight derived from populations, as well as highlighting the importance of individuals. It is a truly wonderful celebration of this important archive.”
A gallery can also be found on The ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp .
This work is supported by The ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp and Wellcome Trust [105610/Z/14/Z].
Exhibition venue
Opening night 6-8pm, 21st Jan 2016
Exhibition continues 12-6pm, 22nd – 24th Jan 2016
Artist’s talk 1-2pm, 23rd Jan 2016
Audience This event is FREE, suitable for all ages and open to anyone with an interest in science, medicine, local history, mining, arthritis or art
Please note: the exhibition floor has no disabled access