For this graduation project, Joanne Mace was inspired by a canal boat trip. She found the experience inspiring and therapeutic, living at such a slow pace for a week. Mace states: “It felt as if I was living in slow motion”, seeing the boat as a welcome break from the busy lifestyles of modern day.

The trip led her to explore the women who worked on canal boats during the war, taking on the roles previously belonging to men. These ‘Idle Women’ were often mocked, with little recognition. Therefore, Mace dedicated her project to these hard-working women, to give them the acknowledgement they deserve.