Millscapes
17 November 2007 - 2 February 2008

Millscapes explores how artists have represented the unique industrial architecture of the North West.

The exhibition is a journey from the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution in the 1790s, through the decline of the textile industry after World War II, to today's changing skylines.

Paintings of early mills in rural settings contrast with images of those built on the edge of urban developments and dark, smoggy industrial landscapes provide a stark contrast to optimistic paintings such as Harry Rutherford's Mill Girls, Ashton (above).

Works by a number of contemporary artists illustrate the ongoing inspiration of the North West's changing urban landscapes.

Artists include L.S. Lowry, J.H. Carse, Julian Trevelyan, Adolphe Valette, Theodore Major and Liam Spencer.

Millscapes is jointly curated by Gallery Oldham and Touchstones Rochdale. The exhibition is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Exhibition Launch: Millscapes, Cops and Bobbins

Saturday 17 November, 12noon - 4pm

Refreshments served from 12noon.

12noon - 1pm: Mill songs from the popular Oldham Tinkers.

1pm: Exhibitions to be opened by Edmund Gartside. Edmund was Chairman of his family's textile firm, the Royton based Shiloh group of companies, for 38 years. He represented the industry in negotiations with the Government and EEC Commission.

1:30pm and 2:30pm: Guided tours of Cops and Bobbins by Sean Baggaley.

1:30pm and 2:30pm: Guided tours of Millscapes by Stephen Whittle.

2pm and 3:15pm: Guided tours of the Talking About Slavery trail by Dinah Winch. The trail is part of the Revealing Histories, Remembering Slavery project.

1-4pm: Free family craft activities

Throughout the afternoon: Come and meet a Victorian mill owner, as played by our actor!

10am - 4pm: Presentation of photographs showing cotton mills in the landscape at Oldham Local Studies and Archives, 84 Union Street (in front of Gallery Oldham).

All events are free and there is no need to book.

Free exhibition talk: Wednesday 9 January, 1pm.

Image: Mill Girls, Ashton, 1948 by Harry Rutherford © Astley Cheetham Art Gallery, Tameside MBC.