17th June – 5th July 2025, Private View: 17 June 6-8pm, ArtHouse, 65 Eastbank Street, Southport, PR8 1EJ

Meet the Artist Events:
Thursday, 19 June
Thursday, 3 July

Drawing With Coal: UK – Poland is a personal exhibition that reflects the artist’s journey through the industrial landscapes of both the UK and Poland. Through charcoal drawings created on-site, he explores the rich history of coal mining and shipbuilding, two industries that have shaped communities, economies, and identities. This exhibition serves as both a tribute and a dialogue, honouring the resilience of workers and the lasting impact of industry on our cultural heritage.

As someone who has found inspiration in both countries, Rodgers is drawn to the parallels between their histories. His time spent walking the coalfields of Upper Silesia, sketching the structures of collieries, and immersing himself in these industrial environments has deepened his connection to Poland’s mining heritage. At the same time, he continues his work across the UK, documenting sites that reflect the country’s past.

This exhibition features drawings made on location, expanding the artist’s ongoing Drawing With Coal series. Key sites include: UK – Lancashire Mining Museum at Astley Green, National Coal Mining Museum for England, Chatterley Whitfield Colliery Heritage Centre, Port Talbot, Wales and Cefn Coed Colliery Museum. Poland – Zabytkowa Kopalnia Ignacy Rybnik, Park Tradycji Siemianowice Śląskie, Wieże KWK Polska w Świętochłowicach, Szyb Krystyna Bytom, Muzeum Hutnictwa w Chorzowie and Muzeum Produkcji Zapałek w Częstochowie.

Many of these former industrial sites are now protected as museums or Scheduled Monuments, preserving their cultural and historical significance for future generations. The Gdansk Shipyard, known for its pivotal role in Poland’s industrial heritage and its connection to global events like the Solidarity movement, offers a fascinating contrast to the history of Liverpool’s docks and port. These connections between two nations, shaped by coal, steel, and the sea, resonate throughout my work.

Beyond history, this exhibition is also about community. With an established Polish community in Southport and Liverpool, I hope to create a space where shared heritage can be reflected upon, remembered, and reimagined through art.

Opening Times:
Tuesday to Friday: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Saturday: 11:00am – 4:00pm

Venue:
ArtHouse
65 Eastbank Street
Southport, PR8 1EJ

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