THE GREAT REFORM AGITATION Initiation Ceremony Paintings © Ken Currie, Reproduced courtesy of The People's Palace, Glasgow

In the centre of this panel is an initiation ceremony for union membership. The banner, as always re-enforcing the message, states that "Union is Strength". The lamp gives a warm, yellow light and is in contrast to many of the dark scenes in the mural. The men are arranged in a circle which illustrates the strength of coming together. The man who is joining the union is blindfolded, representing the secrecy which would have been necessary. Under the Combinations Act (1797) union membership was illegal and carried a sentence of seven years transportation to Australia. You can see one of the men warily watching. Why is the scene bathed in yellow light? Why do you think that the artist has chosen to illustrate women painting the banner? Return to Panel Three