Derek Slater

Derek followed his father into the mining industry. He started painting in his spare time after a hand injury forced him to change his hobby.

Derek began working at Mainsforth Colliery in Ferryhill at the age of 15. He later became a fitter at Tursdale Workshops, working for British Coal until he was made redundant in 1994.

He took up painting as a hobby after a hand injury stopped him from boxing. Following redundancy, Derek studied fine art at the University of Sunderland and became a teacher. Now retired, he continues to take inspiration from the coal industry and portrays the miner in his working environment.

Memories