Description2021 City Photographer, Helene Cochaud: In a tiny shop, set back from the street in a small arcade connecting Smart St and Spencer Lane is where I discover Mirtha. Quietly working with a Spanish radio station playing in the background Mirtha focusses on her sewing.
Mirtha migrated with her husband and four children from Peru in 1995. She has been working as a seamstress in this location for fourteen years and at almost 70 years of age, she hasn't yet decided when she will retire. Her work keeps her busy as well as her growing family which now includes twelve grandchildren.
Although small, the shop allows for a customer changeroom and just enough space for Mirtha's sewing machines, equipment and supplies. Chatting to me from over the counter, she comes across as a quietly content women.
I notice a laminated poem sitting on one of the work desks and ask her about it. She tells me a man came in one day to sell his poem.
"It's about love oneself ... do things for you first .. it makes me feel happy."PhotographerHelene CochaudGeolocation[1] Cnr Ware & Sackville Street, FairfieldNotesThese photographs are part of the 2021 City Photographer project.
Details
Image ColourColourTypeDigitalCopyrightPartial restriction. Please contact Fairfield City Heritage Services for image use.AcknowledgementHelene Cochaud, 2021 Fairfield City Photographer. Image courtesy of Fairfield City Heritage Collection.
