AMALGAMATED METAL WORKERS UNION

(Now the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union)

Artist: Daphne Stitt

Funded by: AMWU

Produced: 1984-87

I had worked out the essential symbolism of the banner’s design with the Metalworkers and we agreed to use a background of blue overall material for instance, and make images of hot and cold colours to correspond to hot and cold metalwork. The central image of smelting seemed an obvious choice, for without the raw material none of the other occupations could function.

The challenge of meeting all these demands and attempting to express the ethos of so many trades was very satisfying. It is important to me that the Metalworkers are proud of the result, and I love the fact that the banner goes out walking in public – not many artworkers are able to do that.  Daphne Stitt

Cited in: Modern Trade Union Banners: An exhibition of recently completed SA union banners, Kathie Muir, Union Arts, United Trades & Labor Council of South Australia, August 1987.

Loaned by the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union SA Branch