Between 1975 and 1980, Daniel Meadows meticulously documented the life and work within Lancashire's cotton mills that were in decline. By recording the experiences of weavers, who managed multiple looms under harsh conditions marked by constant noise and the necessity of piecework, Meadows portrayed a fading industry. The exhibition 'Shuttles, Steam and Soot' showcases these narratives until March 2025, shedding light on communication methods such as 'mee-mawing' to overcome the clamor and the health risks workers faced, including tuberculosis due to unsanitary conditions. This project highlights the intersection of craftsmanship, labor dynamics, and social history.
The clatter of looms in Lancashire cotton mills was so loud that weavers relied on lip-reading and gestures, a communication style nicknamed 'mee-mawing.'
To minimize yarn breakage, weaving sheds were maintained at a certain humidity, but this also contributed to the rapid spread of diseases like tuberculosis among the workers.
Shuttle kissing, a process aimed at threading wefts through looms, was common until it was banned in the 1940s due to health concerns, showing the risks faced by workers.
Daniel Meadows' project documents not just the technology and craftsmanship of cotton weaving, but also the social dynamics and human experience within these rapidly changing factories.
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