‘Being Human’ Workshop: Photographs and Animation

Ellen Wilkinson was elected Labour MP for Middlesbrough in 1924, the only woman voted in during the general election that year. Throughout her life ‘Red Ellen’ was active in securing the rights of women, workers and children. In October 2016, Wilkinson was chosen by public vote to become the first statue representing a female public figure in Middlesbrough, but this has yet to be commissioned. 

On 9th November 2024 we ran a public workshop to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of Wilkinson’s election to parliament. Part of the ‘Being Human’ festival, this workshop reflected on unfulfilled campaign to memorialise Wilkinson and involved our amazing participants in a conversation about who we choose to remember and why. We talked about the forces that serve to eclipse women’s contribution to political and public life and explored what makes for an impactful and inclusive memorial by experimenting with a range of engaging visual design activities. Selected highlights below! What do you think?

This animation is composed of the illustrations workshop participants produced to reflect our discussion about the absence of women in Middlesbrough’s public art.

Our attendees added these vinyl words to our blank plinths.

And remembered inspirational women on our 100-year timeline…

Experimenting with type…

Marcus shares the animation we co-produced. It really is beautiful!