The Casuals – Salford, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 28.145 W 002° 17.722
30U E 546773 N 5924685
This sculpture is one of many that form part of the 33 mile Irwell Sculpture Trail and reflects the history of this area.
Waymark Code: WMGQCH
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/31/2013
Views: 2
The River Irwell is approximately 39 miles long stretching from Deerplay Moor just north of Bacup in the Pennine Hills to Irlam to the south of Manchester. During the industrial revolution many mills and factories were built along the river’s route and it became very polluted with hardly any life left in it.
After the 1970’s when industry had declined various schemes were implemented to clean up the River and life has returned to it. In 1995 it was decided to develop a 33 mile
sculpture trail along the river as part of a multi – million pound redevelopment scheme. It stretches from Bacup in the North to Salford Quays near Manchester.
At Salford Quays the Irwell had been canalised as part of the Manchester Ship Canal construction and had been part of the UK’s 3rd largest port. This area is also a regeneration area that has transformed itself from an industrial site to an area of housing, leisure and offices.
As part of the regeneration of the area a modern art gallery and theatre called the Lowry Centre was opened in 2000. In 2010 a project was set up to celebrate the Lowry’s 10th anniversary and with the support of The Heritage Lottery Fund, five sculptures were installed around Salford Quays with a group title of
Unlocking Salford Quays.
This piece entitle The Casuals was “Made in 2010 with former Salford Dock workers and their families.
Each metal structure in this installation represents a dock workers union card. They are arranged in separate groups emphasising the divide between those in and out of work.
Dockers needed a union card to qualify for work. Labour was on a casual basis, and men gathered at the Dock gates every morning and afternoon to compete for jobs. Those chosen on merit were selected like cattle for their strength, coordination and speed. The rest returned home disappointed, without a wage. A number of former dockers and their families gave interviews for this project. Some of their names and photographs feature on the cards.”
The main artist on this piece was
Stephen Broadbent and he worked closely with locals to tell their stories. Each union card has a picture of a real dock worker and details of their life on the dock.