News | Tuesday, 6th July 2021
Collaborative arts project shines light on work inequalities for older women in Manchester
Dr Sarah Campbell to recommend opportunities for social change
A participatory art and research project into work inequalities experienced by older women has launched at Manchester Art Gallery, co-developed by a University lecturer.
Uncertain Futures will explore challenges women aged 50 and over face in relation to work in Manchester, focusing on age, gender, race, disability and class. It aims to expose inequalities and make recommendations to change social and legal policy.
The exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery showcases the work of Los Angeles-based social engagement artist Suzanne Lacy, and will also feature workshops and presentations that explore survival and equity issues.
Dr Campbell, Lecturer in Integrated Health and Social Care at Manchester Metropolitan University, will interview 100 women – aged over 50 and from all walks of life – as part of the exhibition. The interviews will focus on their experiences of paid and unpaid work in Manchester, including access to and leaving employment.
Extracts of these conversations will be displayed through sound and wall art, with the exhibition evolving over time to reflect the ever-growing collection of narratives.
Dr Campbell said: “This project shows the enormous potential of collaborative work. Led by an inspirational advisory group of women who are all over 50, we are bringing art and research together to challenge work inequalities for older women and highlight opportunities for social change. It is a privilege to be involved.”
Uncertain Futures is a collaboration between Lacy, an artist who collaborates with diverse communities across the globe to highlight social justice issues, university academics and an all-female advisory group, which includes representatives from a range of diverse organisations from across Manchester and Manchester City Council’s Work and Skills team.
Together with Dr Elaine Dewhurst, Senior Lecturer in Employment Law at the University of Manchester, Dr Campbell with analyse the 100 interviews to identify obstacles to employment equality for women over 50 and make recommendations for policy change.
Dr Campbell will focus on issues such as the training and support employers offer older women, including language training for migrant women, and pension and financial planning support.
Tendayi Madzunzu, representing the Uncertain Futures advisory group, said: “I was keen to participate in Uncertain Futures as I could see that for women over 50 this is a project that cuts across matters of ethnicity, immigration, economic status - both rich and poor. It makes women over 50 visible in society, particularly those who are from migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker backgrounds.”
The exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery is now open to the public and will run until May 2022.
