This is a photo of 100 women over 50 years old, from Manchester’s diverse communities. They were involved in a project called ‘Uncertain Futures’, in collaboration with US filmmaker Suzanne Lacy and Manchester Art Gallery.
In 2021, researchers interviewed individuals about their experiences of work, worklessness and unpaid care. The shared experiences highlight the intersecting impacts of age, gender, race, disability, class and migration.
Their anonymised responses were exhibited at Manchester Art Gallery.
The group wanted a visual identity for the group and chose the colour yellow. It can be seen as the colour of change but also danger, caution and alerting people to a need.
In 2022, the interviewees gathered for a celebratory dinner, where this photograph was taken.
The group and artist decided that they wanted to hold a flower in the picture, and so a yellow rose was chosen, as it symbolises love, friendship and joy. They got the flowers from a woman over 50 years old, who had recently migrated and set up a flower shop in Manchester.
After the interviews were complete, a participatory research team of academics and advisory group members analysed the responses to identify barriers to work and develop meaningful solutions. They created a project report and manifesto, which has influenced policy locally, nationally and internationally.
You can read a copy of the manifesto.
There is also a film you can watch named ‘Her Uncertain Futures’. It is 17 minutes long.