Sarah-Joy Ford Labrys pendant

This necklace has been exclusively designed for the Whitworth by Sarah-Joy Ford. Sarah-Joy Ford explores the complexities and pleasures of queer communities, histories and archives. 

The labrys is a bilateral symbol originating in ancient Minoan religious culture, associated with female goddesses and Amazonian warrior women. The labrys became a lesbian symbol of empowerment in the 1970s, appearing in periodicals, philosophical texts, clothing, jewellery, banners, and tattoos.

This necklace was made exclusively for the Whitworth by Just Trade who work in partnership with small fair-trade projects across the world. Born out of the recognition that in order for small Fair Trade projects to be sustainable, they need a long-term route to market for their goods. Just Trade now works with eight groups of artisans in Peru, Ecuador, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.