Object 5 – Badges to inspire the future
These badges belong to Erica Syson and her granddaughter Eimear White. The badges on the purple panel (left) were Erica’s. Erica (left of front row in the photograph) became an activist during the miners’ strike, and collected these badges from around the country during the many campaigns that she participated in during and after the strikes. The strikes took Erica out of her comfort zone, exposing her to other people, places and causes, and after the strikes ended she did not want to return to her old life; she has been an activist ever since.
The badges on the pink panel (right) belong to Eimear, Erica’s granddaughter. Inspired by her Nana, Eimear has become an activist artist in her own right. In Eimear’s words: “As a woman in the LGBTQ+ community, my work is focused on marginalised communities who are often underrepresented or portrayed negatively. I enjoy creating art that highlights the struggle and reality of gender inequality and heteronormativity. The conversations with my Nana were what inspired me to use my voice confidently and be the person I am today. She suggested that I set up my Instagram account to document my journey”.