Coal Miner, Bronze sculpture at Indiana Statehouse, Indianapolis, United States
Coal Miner is a bronze sculpture on the west lawn of the Indiana Statehouse, showing a worker in work clothes holding a safety lamp and pick axe. The artwork rests on a granite base and stands as a public memorial to labor in the state's mining industry.
The memorial was funded by the Indiana General Assembly in 1965 to honor miners who died in the state's mining operations. This decision reflected the economic importance of coal mining to Indiana's industrial growth.
The sculpture was created by Polish American artist John J. Szaton as a tribute to workers whose labor shaped the region's industrial identity. Visitors can observe the carefully rendered details of work clothes and tools that represent the miner's profession.
The sculpture is located on the west side of the Indiana Statehouse and is accessible whenever the grounds are open to the public. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the location is outdoors and exposed to weather.
An identical copy of this sculpture was cast at the same time at Spampinato Art Workshop in Chicago and now stands at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. This pair of memorials connects the industrial heritage of two neighboring states.
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