Group of Seven painting ‘comes home’ to Cape Breton in recognition of miners’ struggle
A century-old painting by Group of Seven artist Lawren Harris is currently on display in Sydney, N.S., in commemoration of the tragic event that led to the death of coal miner William Davis. The painting, titled Miners’ Houses, Glace Bay, is being showcased at the Eltuek Arts Centre, with the official opening taking place on May 2.
Melissa Kearney, the artistic director of the centre, was deeply moved when she first laid eyes on the painting at the Art Gallery of Ontario in 2016. She felt compelled to bring the painting back to Cape Breton Island, as it captures the essence of the region’s history and significance. The painting, on loan from the Art Gallery of Ontario until June 28, has been given its own dedicated exhibition space in the historic convent building that dates back to 1885.
Miners’ Houses, Glace Bay is a poignant representation of Harris’ final urban industrial scene before he transitioned to painting northern landscapes. Inspired during a visit to Cape Breton in 1925 while reporting for the Toronto Star newspaper on a coal miners’ strike, Harris began the painting on-site before completing it in his Toronto studio. The painting holds a special place in Canadian art history, reflecting the artist’s emotional response to the events he witnessed during his time in Cape Breton.
The tragic death of William Davis, a coal miner who was shot and killed by mining company police during the strike, is a pivotal moment in the region’s history. Every June 11, the province commemorates William Davis Miners’ Memorial Day to honor his memory and the sacrifices made by miners in the pursuit of better working conditions.
The painting, featuring rows of company houses perched on the edge of a cliff, evokes a sense of solitude and resilience. Kearney, whose own family has a deep connection to the coal mining industry, sees the painting as a poignant reminder of the hardships faced by miners and their families. The absence of people in the painting suggests a community hard at work, either in the homes or deep underground in the mines.
Former coal miner Kevin Edwards, a member of the Men of the Deeps coal miners’ choir, was moved by the painting’s depiction of the industrial way of life and the struggles faced by miners. He highlighted the painting’s significance in preserving the history and culture of the coal mining industry, as well as its role in honoring the legacy of those who fought for labor rights.
Lachlan MacKinnon, a history professor at Cape Breton University, emphasized the painting’s ability to capture the starkness of poverty and exploitation faced by coal miners in the 1920s, while also conveying a sense of solidarity and resilience within the community. Despite the closure of the coal mines in 2001, the painting continues to resonate with viewers, serving as a powerful reminder of the struggles and triumphs of Cape Breton’s mining heritage.
As visitors explore the exhibition of Miners’ Houses, Glace Bay at the Eltuek Arts Centre, they are invited to reflect on the rich history and enduring spirit of Cape Breton’s mining communities. The painting stands as a testament to the resilience and solidarity of those who worked tirelessly underground, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire generations to come.
