The "Creative Resilience" initiative is a joint effort between UNESCO's Division for Gender Equality and its Natural Sciences Sector. In July 2021, UNESCO made a global outreach, asking women in STEM worldwide to participate in a survey and share art they had produced during and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The exhibit showcases over 100 art pieces from 54 talented STEM women who answered the call. This exhibition is in a hybrid format, with virtual and in-person elements.
The exhibition's curation is credited to Dr. Radhika Patnala, responsible for designing its digital and virtual aspects and Jamila Seftaoui, UNESCO's Director for Gender Equality. In addition to her role as co-curator, Dr. Radhika Patnala contributed to the exhibit with her illustration series "Covid Dreams".
"A virus is neither good nor bad; it is just another element that humans share with the world. Learning is motivated by curiosity and not fear. I hope to transform the visual conversation around COVID-19 science, and perhaps even individual perceptions and how one receives, and copes with the information surrounding COVID-19, its science, and impact on society."
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