ENERGIES Exhibition explores how industrial change is affecting Blyth

A new exhibition will explore the reaction of the community of Blyth to changes in the industries based there -from carbon producing to carbon reducing. Blyth, once believed to be the busiest coal port in the world, was also a centre for shipbuilding and coal mining. And like many towns in the North East and beyond, these traditional industries have now disappeared and are being replaced with new industries – in Blyth’s case with the low carbon energy industry.

Now, a new exhibition will explore the community’s reaction to these changes.

ENERGIES – Blyth’s Industrial Past and Energy Futures, will feature work by nine regional artists, commissioned by Newcastle University. Their artworks will express how the artists see the Blyth industrial past linking to the transformation and the types of energy used to sustain both life and work. The art is aimed at prompting people to think and question what is happening. How the community itself sees, feels and communicates this change is vital for shaping the Blyth community’s future as well as informing the adjustment all coastal communities must make to adapt to climate change. As part of the exhibit, all visitors are encouraged to share their own thoughts and reactions to Blyth’s energy futures.

The ENERGIES exhibition has been brought about with expertise from academics across Newcastle University.
Full press release

Lay of Blyth by Michael Cunliffe

Last modified: Thu, 08 Jul 2021 10:02:26 BST