Unearthing Identities delves into Frickley Colliery’s closure, marking the 40th miners’ strike anniversary. A quilt styled as a protest banner integrates cyanotypes and screen prints, symbolising women’s solidarity and community resilience. This piece contextualises a broader exploration of queer identity in mining, inspired by family history and social movements like ‘Lesbian and Gays Support the Miners’. Through archival research and personal narrative, it underscores the interplay between personal identity and communal struggle, capturing the vibrancy of activism and the enduring spirit of solidarity within marginalised communities affected by industrial shifts and social upheaval.
In their current research, Mazzotta focuses on the intricate interplay between their own queer identity and the distinct landscape and culture of the mining community they reside in. This exploration isn’t merely academic but an intimate journey of self-discovery, navigating masculinity within their queerness. Marked by moments of insight, they uncover hidden histories beneath the seemingly immutable landscape. Their broader artistic journey is rooted in social engagement, shedding light on marginalized narratives through meticulous archival work. They bridge past and present using banner making, oral histories, and printmaking, creating a collective memory. As a co-founder of Hold It Up Collective, they prioritize collaborative action for change, amplifying silenced voices and fostering community dialogue.
