THIS week a new visual arts exhibition came to a popular museum in Whitehaven. 

'Home from Home; An Ongoing Conversation', which draws from the history of Marchon and its cultural impact in Copeland, opened on Friday, February 3. 

It is a result of an ongoing collaboration between artist Julie M O'Neill, ex-employees of the west Cumbrian coastal chemical industry ‘Marchon’, a drone pilot, an embroider and a photographer.

Many people came along to the opening night to enjoy seeing the work first hand and learning more about the history of Marchon. 

The work aims to address issues relating to legacy and identity in a post industrial community. 

Julie M O'Neill said: "The opening night was very good, I did a little bit of a talk about the initial ideas for the project and a little about my background growing up in Cleator Moor and we spoke about the history of Marchon from a visual arts perspective.

"Ideas for the exhibition started about two years ago in lockdown when I made contact with former Marchon employees through a Facebook page. 

Whitehaven News: Art inspired by some of the uniforms worn at Marchon Art inspired by some of the uniforms worn at Marchon (Image: Dave Wilson Photography)

"We started a discussion on ID cards. My own father worked at Marchon all his life and he was a pipe fitter and I had his works ID cards from 1974 and 1994. I shared these on social media and this started up a long conversation with other people sharing their own ID cards. 

"I'd been thinking for some time I'd like to do a project focusing on Marchon as I've done similar projects in the past. So for instance, I've worked in south Wales in ex-mining communities. 

"I've also made work in response to corporate workplaces in the city where I live. Producing art to do with work places is part of my interest really."

Whitehaven News: Art inspired by some of the uniforms worn at Marchon Art inspired by some of the uniforms worn at Marchon (Image: Dave Wilson Photography)

Julie is planning to return to The Beacon over the Easter break in the second week of the school holidays to give further talks on the exhibtion. This will be confirmed at a later date by The Beacon museum.