Dagenham Agate (1968) and Dagenham Agate (1984-85) are two sister sculptures by artist, Ruth Ewan inspired by the Ford Factory Sewing Machinists’ Strikes of 1968 and 1984-85. These strikes were led by women sewing machinists fighting for fair pay. The first strike led directly to the Equal Pay Act of 1970. The second strike recognised their skills as equal to those of their male colleagues working in the factory. The artworks, once unveiled in May 2026 will stand close to the original picket line on Chequers Lane and will form part of a wider Heritage Trail for Dagenham Green.
The artworks also draw inspiration from the material Fordite also known as ‘Dagenham agate’, a highly coveted industrial by-product made from accumulated layers of car paint. Echoing the layers found in Fordite, the sculptures faces have been made through a participatory process. Each layer has been created by a member of the community, through workshops held at Barking & Dagenham College in March 2026, and is unique, symbolising individual paths and experiences. The colours of the artwork faces are carefully matched to the Ford car colours in production during the respective strike periods.
The banded form of agate reflects resilience and the accumulation of experience over generations. Its varied colours and patterns—often reminiscent of natural landscapes like rivers—symbolise diversity and interconnectedness. Across cultures, agates are believed to bring protection, courage, strength, and healing.
Dagenham Agate (1968) will be composed of 187 layers, representing the 187 women who went on strike in June 1968. Dagenham Agate (1984–85) will include 150 layers, honouring the 150 women who joined the strike during the winter of 1984–85.
The Dagenham Agates by Ruth Ewan are curated and produced by UP Projects and commissioned by Peabody and Hill Residential Limited.
Engagement Process
From 2 March to 13 March 2026, a series of community engagement workshops were held at Barking & Dagenham College. During these workshops local people were invited to help create the colourful facades associated with the two sister sculptures. Workshops involved mixing and moulding layers of colourful putty. Each layer created is unique in its own right with colours matched to those of the Ford Cortina being produced in the Stamping Plant in the 1960’s and 1980’s.
187 people took part in the community engagement process – matching the number of women that went on strike in the 1968 strike. During the workshops, led by Ruth Ewan and Diana Puntar participants also learnt more about the Sewing Machinist Strikes and discussed how Women’s rights had changed as a result and what is still required today to achieve gender equality.
Women's Museum Exhibition
UP Projects is excited to be partnering with the Women's Museum to exhibit Ruth Ewan's research material behind The Dagenham Agates.
As part of the exhibition, Materiality of Memory, Ruth presents, Always Something There to Remind Me, a showcase of archival material related to the historic 1968 and 1984-5 Ford sewing machinists’ strikes, alongside a wider body of her work on feminist histories.
The Materiality of Memory programme centres lived experiences of people on the margins, particularly those historically excluded from official archives, and explores how memory is carried through objects, bodies, and places. It invites audiences to reconsider how cultural memory is formed, and who gets to shape it.
The Women’s Museum is free to enter and open Thursday - Saturday, 12pm - 5pm. For more information and to view the full programme, visit: www.womensmuseum.org.uk
Open Thursday to Saturday, 12-5pm | 4 Barking Wharf Square, Barking, IG11 7DQ
