An alphabet for a miner.
An alphabet for a miner
Mining had a strong
presence in Fife and my grandfather Robert Strang and his father Robert Strang were miners. They both worked as machine men
in the Michael Pit.
I found the terminology used in the mining industry fascinating and selected words from Barrowman's
Glossary of Scotch Mining Terms' to use in the work. When the words are taken out of context they often have an entirely
different meaning.
I chose words which seem totally unrelated to mining but in another sense are totally related.
A is for air B is for bearer C is for calm.
The words along with the letters of the alphabet have been
printed on small 2in / 2in blocks of birch. On the reverse side is a drawing of a bearer taken from a 18th century illustration
- a bearer was usually the miner's wife or child who carried the coal from the mine. The image of the bearer can only
be seen once the building blocks have been arranged alphabetically.
B is for bearer.
An alphabet for a miner.
Pulse 2
Cigar boxes, paint, pencil.
Book
Cigar box lids, paint, pencil.
Pulse3
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