Oil on cradled panel

21 x 15 cm

There is an undated archive photograph of female workers at Guy Motors - some are standing, others sitting on the floor cross legged, side by side, in a semi-circle.  The ones standing are holding on to a circular metal structure that looks a little like the fencing that lines horse racing tracks. In the centre of the circle is a sunlamp. The women are looking out beyond the lamp at the photographer and they're all smiling in the way one does when asked to. Some seem to do so naturally, others awkwardly; they all wear dark goggles so that their eyes are invisible, and swimming costumes so that the photograph seems especially voyeuristic as if, being looked at, they can't look back, like they have no agency at all.

The photograph was taken in the welfare centre of the works; Guy Motors offered sun-lamp treatment to enhance the productivity and prevent absenteeism of the workforce.