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The Resilience Was Always There
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The Resilience Was Always There, created by Amanda Wu and Zach Rothman-Hicks, collects and celebrates the wide variety of experiences surrounding the theme of resilience. During these unprecedented times, we develop resilience and find strength from a wide range of people, activities, and more. As queer artists, we were inspired by the advocacy of Audre Lorde and the resilience of Alice Austen and Gertrude Tate, who were together from 1899-1952.
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We invite you to listen and contribute to this archive of resilience. You may access the written transcript for all of the audio clips by clicking here . If you prefer to listen on your phone, you may do so by scanning the QR code on the postcards. We ask that you listen with headphones.
The Resilience Was Always There was part of Yes, And: a survey exhibition of art and artists connected to Staten Island on view at the Staten Island Museum, (1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301) from June 10, 2022- April 2, 2023
A participant discusses how resilience is shaped by his meditation practice.
A participant expresses how they find resilience as a result of the love and support from parents and close friends.
A participant reveals how she uses writing to clear her emotional cobwebs when going through hard times.
A participant explains different ways she talks herself through anxiety, helping her overcome challenging times.
A participant shares how engaging in artmaking and the creative process saved her when she felt lost.
A participant pays tribute to his father's resilience in overcoming addiction as a source of inspiration for his life.
A contributor discusses how things got better for him during a time of trauma and loss due to a close friend who took him in and by discovering a mindful meditation practice focused on beauty around us.
Listen to a mother express her love and appreciation for the uniqueness and beauty of her children.
A speaker discusses how they find inspiration from queer performers who demonstrate an openness and vulnerability in their artistic expression.
Listen to a participant discuss how inspiration, love, and courage received from her partner gives her strength for living.
****TRIGGER WARNING**** This participant discusses how she gained strength to overcome trauma and sexual abuse at a young age.
A participant celebrates her coming out as a trans woman, and discusses the strength she has gained from understanding and embracing her genuine self as part of this important journey.
A participant discuss how their mom, an unconventional person who struggled with substance abuse and other obstacles, gave them strength and inspiration.
A speaker discusses how time and lived experience has made it easier to navigate challenging situations in their life, and, additionally, how LBTQIA+ people are uniquely positioned to help each other.
A contributor discusses how bullying led to alcohol and substance abuse, and, ultimately, recovery, acceptance, and resilience.
Listen to a contributor discuss a delightful trip down memory lane, prompted by a spiritual drum journey. He recounts seeing those who gave him strength and resilience over the course of his life, and realizing how he fits as a link on the chain of life.
A participant discusses the powerful impact of his friend’s kind, accepting words had on him when he was shunned by his family and the church for being gay.
A participant recounts the love and support shown by her family when she came out.
A speaker pays tribute to his dear friend Mark, who was a victim of the AIDS crisis. Mark’s bright, positive personality continue to serve as a source of strength and resilience more than three decades after his death.
A contributor expresses gratitude towards his late closeted uncle, whose free expression and happiness he cherishes to this day.