The Winter of Discontent (Wapping)

Edward Cannell. 1979. Watercolour on paper. Framed.

A combination of widespread trade union strikes and the coldest winter for sixteen years led to the winter of 1978/1979 being dubbed ‘the Winter of Discontent’. Artistic depictions of the event are rather rare. An online search will lead one towards Paul Gori’s 2018 series Winter of Discontent, inspired by his own memories of the period - but contemporary depictions from the late 1970s are limited. Cannell’s presentation of the impact on London is thus a particularly striking record of a key historical element within London’s ‘shadow city’.

Edward Cannell (1927 - 1994)
Born on the Isle of Man, Cannell attended art school before going on to the Liverpool College of Art. He completed commissions for a number of companies, such as British Petroleum - and has work currently held in the Government Art Collection. Exhibited at the Royal Academy, he won a silver medal at the Paris Salon in 1973, and a gold in 1975. He was also a member of the Wapping Group of Artists.