Helen de Main

Displayed here is a segment of a larger work comprising 13 banners. These banners feature the printed slogan, ‘Equal pay is not enough. We want the moon,’ derived from a placard made by feminist activist and historian Sheila Rowbotham during the 1971 campaign for equal pay. Over 50 years later, a portion of this iconic slogan adorns a series of hand-dyed and screen-printed textile banners, accompanied by illustrations depicting the moon’s phases.


In addition to these textile works, wooden structures showcase a collection of screen prints on paper. The imagery and text within these pieces are sourced from archival research on various women’s equality campaigns and excerpts from interviews conducted with women involved in the 2018 equal pay dispute with Glasgow City Council, which they successfully resolved. While the women in this instance achieved victory, many workers continue to advocate for fair pay and working conditions, underscoring the ongoing struggle for pay parity.


Special thanks to Sheila Rowbotham for the generous permission to reproduce the slogan from her placard.