Labour music histories from WAHC's permanent collection
Curated by Ada Bierling
Throughout labour history, music has been a tool to inspire, educate, and mobilize workers. Solidarity Forever: Workers’ Sounds and Songs delves into histories of labour songs by showcasing musical moments from WAHC’s permanent collection.
From traditional labour songs set to Gospel tunes and contemporary tracks about workers’ issues to powerful chants on picket lines, labour songs inspire solidarity through auditory engagement. Throughout time and space, music and protest sounds continue to encourage workers to build community and fight for a better world.
Visit the exhibition to explore artifacts ranging from vinyl records and song lyrics to archival video footage from WAHC’s permanent collection.
For more information, please contact Ada Bierling, Interim Programming and Exhibitions Specialist, at (905) 522-3003 ex. 29 or ada@wahc-museum.ca
Top image: D.O.A. performs in Vancouver’s MAYWORKS FESTIVAL Celebrating Working People & Culture (video still) (1989). Digitized video. Directed by Craig Berggold and Teresa Marshall.
Bottom image: Katari Taiko performs inVancouver’s MAYWORKS FESTIVAL Celebrating Working People & Culture (video still) (1989). Digitized video. Directed by Craig Berggold and Teresa Marshall.
WAHC acknowledges the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Hamilton, the Province of Ontario, the Canada Council for the Arts, CUPE National, Canada’s Building Trades Unions, OPSEU/SEFPO, the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, and Teamsters Local Union 879 for their support of our exhibitions and ancillary programs.
