THE trauma and raw emotion of the miners' strike has been captured in a painting - The Picket Line - created by a self-taught artist.
Tom French credits the driving force behind his paintings as coming from well-known local artist, the late David Mulholland and cites the industrial "anarchy" three decades ago for providing the inspiration for his largest work, the 6ft x 3ft canvas.
Most of the characters in the atmospheric painting were all close to Tom, not least his dad, also called Tom.
Mr French said: "I was so frustrated with the strikes, they were so unnecessary, just a reason for anarchy. I'm in the front, the figure in the duffle coat in the middle, getting threatened and intimidated.
"Dad's looking out of the picture, rolling a cigarette and not giving me the support I wanted. I've included other people I've worked with, who have also had a big influence on me, too."
His first public exhibition, entitled Portraits, Landscapes and Industrial Scenes, opens at Redcars Kirkleatham Museum on Saturday, January 23 until Sunday, March 7.
There are a total of 29 works, mixed media art works in acrylics, oils, pencil and pastel, with prices ranging from £110 to £2,500 - the price of The Picket Line.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here