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Fill out the form below to find out more about the Women’s Work in Pyrex project.
More information
Sophie Piper leading a research workshop at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Firstly, we’d like to gather contextual information about Deste’s photographs. From your insights into the jobs represented in the photographs to your memories of the sounds you heard working at Pyrex. We’re like to hear about your working life and how this compares to the work that has been photographed by Deste.
Secondly, we’d like your help to co-curate an outdoor exhibition of Deste’s photographs to be displayed in Sunderland city centre in Autumn 2026.
We will be running a series of six workshops running between April – June 2026 at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens.
The workshops will include the following:
- Podcasting: We will use Deste’s work as a catalyst to discuss women’s work at Pyrex. A podcast producer will record the discussion and your insights.
- Photography: How woman’s work has been represented is central to this research and in this project we would like to work with you to make a photographic portrait.
- Curation: We would like your help to choose which of Deste’s photographs to exhibit (in Sunderland city centre later this year) and to produce a soundscape (both environmental sounds and excerpts from the oral histories) to accompany these photographs.
The project will be an opportunity to contribute to a national archive, to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, learn new skills and to have fun!
This project is led by photographer and researcher Sophie Piper, as part of a Northern Bridge Consortium Collaborative Doctoral Award at the Northern Centre of Photography (University of Sunderland) and Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens – delivered in partnership with Historic England and the North East Photography Network (NEPN), supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Museum redevelopment project
The workshops will be facilitated by Sophie Piper and freelance podcast producer, Grace Stubbings.
Sign up and come to Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens on Thursday 19 March from 1pm for a presentation from Sophie about the project. At the end of the presentation, there will be an opportunity to find out more about the project and how you can get involved.
You won’t be obligated to take part if you attend the presentation. Also, if you’re unable to attend the presentation, please let us know in the sign up form and we can make alternative arrangements for you.
Please register your interest by Friday 27 March. Workshop schedule will be finalised w/c 30 March.
Find out more in the project’s Participant Information