David Moore
1949 (ca)
Miners, Pacific Colliery, Hunter Valley
[100 Photographs, pl. 013]

Gelatin silver print
David Moore Estate
© Courtesy of the David Moore Estate
 
Influenced by the Farm Security Administration photography of Walker Evans and Dorothea Lange, which had recorded the predicament of poor farmers in the USA, Moore was attracted to record the plight of local coalminers. In June 1949, 23 000 coalminers across Australia went on strike for improved conditions, but a month and a half later, the Chifley Government retaliated with armed troops.
Alan Davies, The State Library of NSW
 
This photograph was included in the David Moore 100 Photographs series that toured the State Library of NSW (titled David Moore 100 photographs) in late 2005. The exhibition then travelled to Monash Gallery of Art, Melbourne, in 2006, changing its title to David Moore A Vision, 1927-2003; and then to Bendigo Art Gallery (2006), Shepparton Art Gallery (2006), Albury Regional Art Gallery (2007), Gold Coast City Art Gallery (2007), Wollongong City Gallery (2007), Mildura Arts Centre (2008), and finally to LaTrobe Regional Gallery (2008). A Limited Edition of the series was also produced.
 
LL/32036